BLOOD PRESSURE PROFILE AND ITS RELATION TO AGE AND ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS (WEIGHT, HEIGHT, BODY MASS INDEX) IN SCHOOL GOING ADOLESCENTS.

Dr. Subhash Shankar Poyekar*

ABSTRACT

Background: The prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes is increasing at alarming rate. Early identification of overweight/obesity and high blood pressure is effective strategy for institution of preventive measures. Aims & Objective: The objectives of this study were to assess blood pressure profile and its relation to age and anthropometric parameters in school going adolescents. Materials and Methods: This is a cross sectional study involving 507 school children aged between 10-17 years. Anthropometric parameters were assessed and a blood pressurewasmeasured using a standardized mercury sphygmomanometer. Elevated blood pressure (pre-hypertension) and Hyper-tension was defined by age, gender and height specific blood pressure charts. Results: A positive correlation was found with rise in mean systolic blood pressure (mSBP)/mean diastolic blood pressure (mDBP) with increase inweight and height. There was no correlation between age and Body Mass Index (BMI) with rise in (mSBP) and (mDBP). Higher mSBP and mDBP was observed in adolescents with BMI > 95%. Totally there were 123 subjects (24.26 %); who had elevated blood pressure/hypertension. Conclusion: The study points out the need for at least annual measurements of Body weight, Height, BMI and periodic screening for high blood pressure in school going children.

Keywords: Hypertension, Obesity, Overweight, Pre-hypertension.