Prediction of blood pressure based on anthropometric measurements in adolescents

Abstract

Background Recently, an important health issue in children is obesity, leading to hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine association of blood pressure with anthropometric variables in adolescents. Methods In this study, 1992 adolescents aged 11–18 years old between 2000 and 2007 were included. Cut point of anthropometric indices of waist circumference (WC), waist-to-stature ratio (WSR) and body mass index (BMI) was identified using Youden’s index. Results Cut point of BMI for identification of hypertension was 19.69, 25.5, 20.65 and 24.13 for boys at middle and high school, girls at middle and high school, respectively. This measure for WSR was 0.44, 0.50, 0.45 and 0.517 for boys at middle and high school, girls at middle and high school, respectively. Regarding WC, it was 69.50, 96.5, 65.5 and 77.5 for boys at middle and high school, girls at middle and high school, respectively. Conclusions In middle school boys, WSR, WC and BMI are associated with DBP but by increasing age, only BMI and weight are associated with DBP. BMI is the consistent anthropometric determinant of DBP. We also observed the relationship between WSR and SBP in boys, which could be applied as a predictive measure.