Key result
Obesity in children was associated with a 53% prevalence of hypertension and significantly higher odds compared to normal-weight children (OR 7.2; 95% CI 5.0-10.3).
Why the study?
Is overweight and obesity associated with an increased prevalence of hypertension in children?
Cross-Sectional (n=2,023)
Is overweight and obesity associated with an increased prevalence of hypertension in children?
Overweight and obese children have a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension compared to normal-weight children, highlighting the need for early detection and regular blood pressure monitoring.
May warrant BP monitoring in obese children; cross-sectional data leaves open causality and prospective validation.
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide. Obesity in children and adults leads to diabetes mellitus type 2 and cardiovascular disease. AIM: To determine the prevalence of high blood pressure in overweight and obese children in the Caribbean. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, weight and height were measured in all 5-16-year-old children attending public school in 2008 on Bonaire, an island in the Caribbean. Cut-off values for body mass index (BMI) are defined by the International Obesity Task Force. Blood pressure was measured in all overweight and obese children as well as in a control group with normal weight and compared with reference values from the National High Blood Pressure Working Group on Children. RESULTS: 94% (2023/2152) of all children participated in the study. 17% (335/2023) of the children were overweight (excluding obesity) and a further 12% (246/2023) were obese. Hypertension was found in 13% (67/526) of children of normal weight, in 23% (71/307) of overweight children and in 53% (127/242) of obese children. Compared with normal-weight children, the odds for hypertension were 2.1 (95% CI 1.4-3.0) for overweight children and 7.2 (95% CI 5.0-10.3) for obese children. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of hypertension in overweight and obese children on Bonaire. As hypertension is a harbinger of cardiovascular disease, early detection and treatment of overweight and obese children is of paramount importance and their blood pressure needs to be measured regularly.
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Schwiebbe et al. (2012) conducted a cross-sectional in Obesity and overweight (n=2,023). Obesity vs. Normal weight was evaluated on Hypertension (OR 7.2, 95% CI 5.0-10.3). Obesity in children was associated with a 53% prevalence of hypertension and significantly higher odds compared to normal-weight children (OR 7.2; 95% CI 5.0-10.3).
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