Evaluation of Blood Pressure and Anthropometric Measurements in School Children

ABSTRACT

The prevalence of hypertension in children and adolescents seems to be increasing. The present study aimed to investigate the best anthropometric determinants of high blood pressure in school children. Methods: The present study was conducted in the department of Community Medicine. It comprised of 1160 school children age ranged 12-16 years of both genders. In all children, height (cm), weight (kg), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, Body mass index (kg/m2), Waist circumference (cm) Triceps skinfold (mm) was recorded. Results: Maximum boys were in age 12 years and 16 years and girls in age 14 years, followed by 70 boys in 12 years, 80 in 15 years and 60 in 14 years. 48 girls in 15 years, 42 in 13 years, 38 in 12 years and 17 in 16 years. Boys had 22% and girls had 20% of prevalence of hypertension. The mean height in males was 155.2 cm and in girls was 146.2 cm, weight was 37.4 kg in boys and 32.1 kg in girls, SBP was 132.4 mm Hg in boys and 124.6 mm Hg in girls. DBP was 86.2 mm Hg in boys and 74.6 mm Hg in girls. Conclusion: There is a positive correlation of weight of subjects and systolic and diastolic blood pressure in subjects. Early screening for high blood pressure in school students and introducing effective lifestyle modifications at an early age to prevent the epidemic of non-communicable diseases in future is the need of hour.