Factors Related to Increase of Blood Pressure in Obese Children and Adolescents

ABSTRACT

Background: As obese population is increasing nowadays, research on blood pressure of obese children is being performed more frequently. However, there are only few research related to factors about blood pressure among obese children in Korea. The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors affecting blood pressure of obese children and adolescents. Methods: The subjects were elementary and middle school students diagnosed with obesity (n=1716). Height, weight, waist circumstance, body fat percent, blood pressure were measured. Family history and sexual maturity were investigated through the questionnaire. The relationship between the factors and the increase of blood pressure was analyzed. Results: Body weight was the most powerful factor among to factors related to increase of blood pressure (male r=0.45, P<0.05, female r=0.37, P<0.05). Also, height, percentage weight for height (PWH), body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference was correlated with the blood pressure. In multiple regression analysis, family history of hypertension and the sexual maturity were significant determinants of blood pressure in males after adjusting for weight. However, body fat percent was a significant determinant in females. Conclusion: Body weight was the most important factor which increased the blood pressure in obese children and adolescents in both sexes. But males and females had different factors related to the increase of blood pressure with the exception of body weight.