PP.38.09

Abstract

Objective: To assess the prevalence of high blood pressure among primary school children and to explore the role of body weight, age and gender to the occurrence of high blood pressure. Design and method: A cross-sectional study was performed on 1745 school children (811 boys and 934 girls) aged 7–14 years (first to eight grade), who attended 8 primary schools in Belgrade. Children's blood pressure (BP) was measured in the morning, in the school setting, using mercury sphygmomanometer. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from child's weight and height. High blood pressure was defined as systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure equal or exceeding 95th percentiles of values. Results: The proportion of high blood pressure among primary school pupils was 4.0% (70 pupils), i.e. 4.56% among boys (37 boys) and 3.53% among girls (33 girls). It ranged from 2.8% among second-grade pupils to 6.6% among eighth-grade pupils. The proportion of high blood pressure did not differ significantly between grades or between boys and girls. Most children (1199 pupils, 68.7%) had normal weight, 53 pupils (3.0%) were underweight, 325 pupils (18.6%) were at risk of being overweight, and 168 pupils (9.6%) were overweight. The proportion of overweight did not differ significantly between grades. Girls were more likely with normal weight or underweight than boys; boys were more likely overweight than girls. Logistic regression model indicated overweight as the most significant risk factor for the occurrence of high blood pressure among children (Odds Ratio = 6.469, 95% Confidence Interval = 3.836–10.910). Among children older than 11 years, the presence of puberty (menarche, pubic hairs) was significantly related to the occurrence of high blood pressure (OR = 2.970, 95% CI = 1.244–7.091). Conclusions: The presence of high blood pressure among primary school pupils may be related to age, gender, body weight and the occurrence of puberty. Regular blood pressure measurements are recommended at primary schools.