Key result
Adolescent hypertension affects ~5% of youth and tracks exclusively with overweight and obesity.
Why the study?
Adolescent hypertension is associated with adult cardiovascular morbidity, yet data on adolescent blood pressure and its socio-demographic, lifestyle, psychosocial, and anthropometric determinants in rural and semi-urban North India remain limited.
What is the prevalence of hypertension and elevated blood pressure, and what are their socio-demographic, lifestyle, psychosocial, and anthropometric correlates among adolescents in Sitapur, North India?
Cross-Sectional (n=387)
Yes
What is the prevalence of hypertension and elevated blood pressure, and what are their socio-demographic, lifestyle, psychosocial, and anthropometric correlates among adolescents in Sitapur, North India?
Identifies a 14.2% combined burden of hypertension (4.9%) and elevated blood pressure (9.3%) among North Indian adolescents, occurring exclusively in overweight and obese youth regarding hypertension, supporting school-based BP and BMI screening.
Supports targeted BP screening in overweight/obese adolescents; leaves open confirmation of prevalence and causality via prospective studies.
Background: Adolescent hypertension is an emerging public health concern associated with adult cardiovascular morbidity. Data on adolescent blood pressure and its determinants in rural and semi-urban North India remain limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hypertension and assess its socio-demographic, lifestyle, psychosocial, and anthropometric correlates among adolescents in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 387 adolescents aged 10-19 years. Socio-demographic, dietary, physical activity, and psychosocial data were collected using structured questionnaires. Anthropometric indices using WHO BMI-for-age Z-scores were assessed. Blood pressure (BP) was measured using calibrated oscillometric devices and classified per AAP pediatric guidelines. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS v26.0, employing Chi-square tests for bivariate analysis. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age was 14.48±2.99 years. Overall prevalence of hypertension was 4.9% (19/387), while 9.3% (36/387) exhibited elevated BP. Hypertension occurred exclusively among overweight (9.3%) and obese (24.4%) adolescents (χ2=79.199, p<0.001). Frequent fast-food consumption (p<0.001), daily carbonated drink intake (p<0.001), inadequate physical activity (p<0.001), screen-based sedentary behaviour (p<0.001), tobacco chewing (p<0.001), smoking (p<0.001), positive family history of hypertension (p=0.008), and sleep disturbances (p<0.001) were significantly associated with blood pressure categories. Conclusions: Hypertension and elevated BP pose a notable burden among adolescents in Sitapur. Adiposity, physical inactivity, screen time, unhealthy diet, family history, and sleep disruption were key determinants. School health screenings and lifestyle modification programs are urgently needed.
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Aalam et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Adolescent hypertension and elevated blood pressure (n=387). Overweight and obesity (WHO BMI-for-age Z-score >+1 SD) and lifestyle/psychosocial risk factors vs. Normal or low BMI-for-age Z-score (≤+1 SD) and healthy lifestyle profile was evaluated on Prevalence of hypertension (stage 1 or 2 per AAP pediatric criteria) across BMI-for-age categories (p=<0.001). Adolescent hypertension prevalence was 4.9% (elevated BP 9.3%) and occurred exclusively in overweight (9.3%) and obese (24.4%) youth (p<0.001).
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