Prevalence of hypertension in urban school going adolescents of Bangalore, India

Abstract

Background: Systemic hypertension is an important condition in childhood, with estimated population prevalence of 1-2% in the developed countries. Nutritional surveys in USA shows a significant secular increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The prevalence may be high in south India, because of increased genetic inheritance and also due to altered dietary habits and life style. Therefore, the present study was undertaken. The aim and objectives of the study was to study the prevalence of hypertension and associated risk factors in school going adolescents of urban Bangalore, India. Methods: This is a school based cross sectional study carried out in three different schools of different socioeconomic status conducted over a period of 1 year. All boys and girls between the age group of 11 and 19 were included in the study. Results: Total 748 students were included, family history of hypertension was present in 145 students (19.4%), family history of obesity seen in 76 students (10.2%), and 69.3% were non-vegetarians and 66.7% were taking junk food. Majority were in lower middle class (48.8%). Pre hypertension and stage I hypertension noted in 3.6% of students. It is significantly high in children with BMI>23. Family h/o hypertension and obesity were significant in children with pre hypertension and stage I hypertension (p<0.001). Conclusions: Hypertension is a significant problem in urban adolescents of Bangalore city. Obesity, increased BMI and increased waist hip ratio are significant anthropometric risk factors. Family histories of hypertension and obesity have a strong correlation with occurrence of hypertension.