Prevalence of Hypertension and its Correlation with Diet in School Going Adolescent Girls in an Urban Setting

Background: Hypertension in children is a frequently overlooked problem and an important cardiovascular risk factor of adulthood. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of hypertension among school aged urban children and find out the association of diet with hypertension.

Method: The study included 100 children aged 15–17 years. The weight, height, and BP were measured using standardized instruments following standard guidelines.⁽⁷⁾ Details regarding food habits were obtained. Blood pressure measurements were taken by an electronic BP monitor–Omron. Hypertension was considered when blood pressure was more than the 95^th percentile for age and sex as per the NHLBI, NIH (National heart lung blood institute) standards. In children having hypertension a repeat measurement was done to confirm hypertension.

Results: In this study the prevalence of hypertension was found to be 9%.

Conclusion: High Blood pressure in children and adolescents is on the rise. These new findings have implications for the cardiovascular disease public health burden. They reinforce the urgent call for early prevention of obesity and High blood pressure in adolescents