Blood pressure and related cardiovascular disease risk factors in 6–18 year‐old students in Italy

Abstract

The aims of this study were to provide data on blood pressure (BP) levels, to measure prevalence of high-normal or high BP and to identify a set of conditions that may predict high BP (HBP) in a population of children and adolescents in Italy. A random sample of students 6-18 years old attending randomly selected schools in Catanzaro, Italy, was recruited. All students completed a questionnaire on their health and on health behaviours, such as physical activity, diet, drinking and smoking. Blood pressure, heart rate, height, weight and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. Of the 603 subjects examined, 12.8% had high-normal BP, 3.5% hypertension (HTN) and 11.1% were obese. High-normal or high diastolic BP (DBP) was significantly more likely in older subjects with a higher BMI, in those with a smoker mother and in preterm children, whereas high-normal or high systolic BP (SBP) was significantly more likely to be found in older subjects with a higher BMI and in those who had at least one parent with HTN. High-normal or high DBP or SBP were significantly predicted by BMI and age. Interventions should focus at reducing obesity and encouraging proper dietary habits, sufficient exercise and cessation of smoking habit in parents too, especially in children with a family history of HTN.