6565 Blood pressure in overweight and obese vs. non- obese children

Objectives Hypertension is a significant risk factor for nearly all cardiovascular diseases. The prevalence of hypertension in children and adolescents has increased over the past several decades.¹ ²Body mass index (BMI) is one of the strongest risk factors of primary hypertension in children and adolescents,¹ Several organizations recommend routine screening of BP of children, therefore, the BP need to be measured in children at least one per year.¹To date, no study reported BMI in relation to the risk for hypertension among children in Libya. Therefore, in this case control study we examined the relations between BMI and hypertension in schoolchildren in Tripoli – Libya. Methods The present study was a case-control study. All participants were randomly selected from 6 primary schools in Tripoli (including 6 Municipalities; during March and April 2022). The inclusion criteria used for the study were as follows: children between 6 and 12 years (yrs) with obesity or who were overweight. Overweight and obesity were defined according to the World Health Organization classification. As controls, healthy weight children that matched the overweight/obese study participants for age and gender. Children with any underlying disease that was likely to affect their BP were excluded. Anthropometrics measurements and BP measurements (Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were taken by well-trained staff. BP was measured by using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer. BP values were approximated to the nearest 2 mmHg. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Minitab statistical software version 16.1 and Microsoft® Office Excel 2007.For all tests, significance was taken at p < 0.05. Results Anthropometric measurements and BP were available for 559 children on each group (overweight/obese children vs normal weight children) from six schools. Their mean age was 9.2 yrs (SD 1.7) and 9.3 yrs (SD1.8), mean BMI 22.7 ( SD 4.2) and 16.1 ( SD 1.9), respectively. There was a significant difference in the BMI, SBP, and DBP between the two groups in this study. The SBP and DBP were significantly higher among overweight and obesity group than normal weight. The results are summarised in table 1. Conclusion This case control study indicated that the overweight and obesity can predict the higher risk of hypertension in Libyan children.There is no evidence in the longitudinal relations between BMI and hypertension in Libyan children and, thus, further studies are needed. References Benenson I, Waldron FA, Porter S. Pediatric hypertension: a guideline update. The Nurse Practitioner. 2020 May 1;45(5):16–23. Parker ED, Sinaiko AR, Kharbanda EO, Margolis KL, Daley MF, Trower NK, Sherwood NE. Change in weight status and development of hypertension. Pediatrics. 2016 Mar 1;137.