Evaluating of the predictors of high blood pressure in children and adolescence: Findings from Iranian health care system reform plan

Background: to evaluate the role of dietary pattern and life style associated factors in predicting hypertension among overweight and obese pediatrics. Methods : In the current cross-sectional study, 425 overweight and obese children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years were enrolled. The predictors of blood pressure considering patterns of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, fast food or junk food intake and meal consumption and also life style habits including hours of watching TV and physical activity, anthropometric indices were included in the scoring algorithm. Results : The results of final model of hierarchical linear regression showed that SBP and DBP had directly significant correlation with age (p<0.001, p<0.001) and BMI (p<0.005, p<0.007) respectively. Moreover, DBP was in significant correlation with fruit consumption of less than 2 serving per day versus never consumption (p=0.014, B= 0.444), fruit consumption of more than 2 serving per day versus never consumption (p=0.014, B= 0.480), and vegetable consumption less than 3 serving per day versus never consumption (p=0.045, B= -0.374). Also, results showed that DBP had significant correlation with fast foods /junk foods consumption of 1-2 items per week versus almost every day consumption (p= 0.047, B=-0.177). This final model could predict 32.1% of hypertension by SBP and DBP (R2 =0.321). Conclusion : According to our findings, consumption of lower vegetables and fruits, higher amounts of fast foods, higher age and BMI could be potent predictors of high blood pressure among Iranian children and adolescents.