Informatics Publishing Limited

Shobha Rao ¹, Jayashree Sarode ¹, Priti Apte ¹, Asawari Kanade ¹

Affiliations
1 Biometry and Nutrition Group, Agharkar Research Institute, Pune - 411 004, IN

Abstract

The objective of the study was to examine the risks for high blood pressure associated with under nutrition and over nutrition among adolescents, as both forms of malnutrition coexist in India owing to nutritional transition. Adolescents (9-16 yrs) from schools catering to Lower Socio Economic class (LSE; 943 boys, 1000 girls) and High Socio Economic class (HSE; 867 boys, 1042 girls) were measured for weight, height, sitting height, body fat, skin folds and blood pressure. Results revealed that high prevalence of overweight in adolescents from HSE class compared to that in LSE (24.1% vs 2.2% in boys and 20.8% vs 3.9% in girls; p<0.01 for both) indicated risk for High Systolic Blood Pressure (HSBP) while high prevalence of stunting in LSE class (20.8% in boys and 11.8% in girls) indicated risk for High Diastolic Blood Pressure (HDBP). Leg height to height ratio showed significant inverse association with blood pressure levels. In LSE class, prevalence of HDBP was significantly higher than prevalence of HSBP in each quartile of BMI, body fat and skin folds. Increase in systolic blood pressure per unit increase of BMI, was higher in adolescents from LSE class (1.99 mmHg in boys and 1.03 mmHg in girls) compared to those in HSE class (0.91 mmHg in boys and 0.52 mmHg in girls) and this was also true for diastolic blood pressure. Implications of increase in BMI are serious for undernourished children than better nourished children. The observation therefore, underscores the need for planning strategies for preventing adiposity in adolescents from urban as well as rural and poor sections of Indian population.

Keywords

Blood Pressure, Adolescents, Social Class.

Full Text

     

Shobha Rao ¹, Asawari Kanade ¹, Smita Joshi ¹, Avanti Joshi ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Biometry and Nutrition, Maharashtra Association for the Cultivation of Science, Law College Road, Pune-411 004, IN

Abstract

It is well known that marked individual differences are encountered in the onset and magnitude of adolescent growth spurt, in either sex. Often these individual differences are attributed to socio-economic factors or to the nutritional factors, or to the malnutrition in the early chilhood. It is rarely recognized that considerable differences exist in respect of individual's capacity to respond to the rapid physical and physiological changes, that take place during adolescence.

Full Text