Prevalence of Hypertension Among Obese Children and Effect of Environmental Factors on Hypertension and Childhood Obesity: A School Based Study

Introduction: Childhood obesity as an important risk factor for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in the later part of life are more susceptible to develop hypertension and coronary artery diseases. The effect of altered environmental factors may lead to hypertension and childhood obesity. Aim and objectives: To evaluate the incidence of hypertension among obese children and the effect of environmental factors on hypertension and obesity. Results: Out of 1000 school going children, 85were having BMI >85th centile. Among 85, 53were overweight and 32 being obese. SBP and DBP were significantly higher in obese children when compared to non obese group (p<0.05). A positive correlation between age,weight, height, BMI with SBP (p<0.05)while a negative correlation between weight, BMI and hours of sleep per day (p<0.05). Conclusion: A higher prevalence of systolic and diastolic hypertension was observed among children with obesity. It is implicated that decreased hours of sleep, milk consumption, physical activity and increased sedentary life style are important risk factors in childhood obesity. KEY WORDS: Environmental factors-Hypertension-Childhood obesity.