LBPS 03-04 RECENT BLOOD PRESSURE TRENDS IN ADOLESCENTS FROM CHINA, KOREA, SEYCHELLES AND THE USA, 1997-2012

Abstract

Objective: While the prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide, secular trends in elevated BP differ across populations. We aimed to compare recent BP and obesity trends in adolescents aged 10–19 years in China, Korea, Seychelles and the USA. Design and Method: Data in adolescents aged 10–19 years came from China (1997–2011, n = 8,025), Korea (1998–2012, n = 10,119), Seychelles (1998–2012, n = 27,569) and the USA (1999–2012, n = 14,580). Elevated BP was defined as systolic BP or diastolic BP equal to or above the referent sex-, age-, and height-specific 95th percentile of the US Fourth Report. Overweight and obesity were defined using criteria of the International Obesity Task Force. Results: Between 1997–2000 and 2011–2012, the prevalence of elevated BP decreased in Korea and did not change substantially in China and in the USA. The prevalence of elevated BP increased in Seychelles. In 2011–2012, the prevalence of elevated BP was respectively 1.7% in the USA, 3.8% in China, 3.7% in Korea, and 14.3% in Seychelles. The prevalence of overweight and obesity increased over time and reached in 2011–12 41.2% in the USA, 18.6% in China, 25.2% in Korea, and 27.4% in Seychelles. Elevated BP was strongly associated with obesity in all countries. Conclusions: While the prevalence of obesity increased markedly in the four countries, secular BP trends in adolescents differed in countries of different regions.