Abstract P635: Poverty, Sodium Intake and Abnormal Blood Pressure Among Youth 13 to 18 Years of Age

Abstract

Hypertension (HTN) is a primary cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and begins in youth. Among adults, low socioeconomic status (SES) is a demonstrated risk factor for HTN. Low SES has been associated with increased sodium intake and obesity. In this study, we assess the impact of family income, obesity and sodium intake during adolescence on average systolic blood pressure (SBP) to determine if these factors are associated with HTN and elevated BP during adolescence. Methods: Using 2007-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, representative of the non-institutionalized civilian population 13 to 18 years of age, we employed multivariable logistic regression (proc survey logistic) to assess the relationship between abnormal BP diagnosis (HTN or elevated BP), family income, obesity, and sodium intake. Poverty was defined as a family income less than 5-times the poverty level. Sodium intake was estimated based upon a combined 1-day total dietary and 1-day diet supplement recall and was adjusted for total caloric intake per day. The upper quartile of adjusted sodium intake was used to distinguish high from low sodium intake. Abnormal BP was defined as an average systolic blood pressure (SBP) at or above 120mmHg. Multivariable logistic regression was carried out. Results: 2.4% and 13% of the adolescent population had average SBP at or above 130mmHg (HTN) or at or above 120mmHg (elevated BP), respectively. According to multivariable logistic regression, predictors of the HTN/Elevated BP were overweight status (OR: 2.4, 95%CI: 1.8, 3.2), obesity (OR: 3.6 95%CI: 2.8, 4.7), male sex (OR:3.6, 95%CI: 2.7, 4.9), non-Hispanic black race (OR: 1.8, 95%CI: 1.2, 1.4) and age (OR: 1.3, 95%CI: 1.2, 1.4). Poverty status (OR: 1.2, 95%CI: 0.74, 1.9), Hispanic ethnicity (OR 1.2, 95%CI: 0.87, 1.5), and sodium intake (OR: 1.1, 95%CI: 0.86, 1.4) were not associated with HTN/elevated BP. Conclusion: While SES factors contribute to abnormal BP, sodium intake and family income were not associated with HTN/elevated BP in adolescents using a single day dietary intake recall. According to our results, additional SES factors contribute to HTN/elevated BP in adolescents and should be further explored.