Study on Prevalence of Hypertension among Adolescents

Introduction In the past, Hypertension in childhood was not considered a problem but in the last few decades, it has gradually become a source of concern especially as children are known to maintain their blood pressures into adulthood. Therefore, hypertensive children are at risk of developing cardiovascular complications earlier in adulthood. In our own environment, the prevalence of hypertension in children is undocumented, hence the purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypertension and risk factors among adolescents in Tumkur India. Methods. A sample of 320 was selected by stepwise random sampling from four schools of Tumkur. Blood pressure, weight, and height of the subjects were measured and BMI was calculated. Blood pressure measurements were categorized as normal, prehypertension, or hypertension using the 2004 Fourth Report blood pressure screening recommendations. Overweight and obesity were defined according to International BMI Cut Off Points for adolescents. Results. The prevalence rates of of prehypertension and hypertension were 10.2 % and 16 %, respectively. Obesity and overweight were seen in 4.8 % and 18.4 % of subjects, respectively. The prevalence rates of hypertension and prehypertension increased with increasing BMI. Conclusions. The prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension in this study was found to 16 % and 10.2 % respectively. Hypertension/prehypertension was more likely to develop with increasing age, BMI and waist circumference. Obesity was associated with an increased risk of elevated blood pressure. Routine blood pressure measurements in adolescents of our community are suggested to prevent high blood pressure in adolescence and its complications in later life.