High-Normal Arterial Blood Pressure in Children With Excess Body Weight

BACKGROUND Childhood overweight and obesity are common causes of metabolic disorders that persist until adulthood. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of high-normal arterial blood pressure (ABP) in children with excess body weight. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 1,093 schoolchildren aged 10 - 12 years (51% girls and 49% boys) participated in the study. The children's weight, height, body fat percentage (BFP), waist and hip circumference, and ABP were measured. The waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and body mass index (BMI) were calculated and compared to the normative reference values accepted by the International obesity task force (IOTF). RESULTS Excess weight was identified in 20% of the participants, and obesity in 5%. A total of 35.5% of overweight children had above-normal ABP, which implied hypertension. In obese children, that proportion equaled 59.3%. BFP was 6.5% greater in children with hypertension than in those with normal BP. The children with hypertension also had a 7.6-cm larger waist circumference, a 7.6-cm larger hip circumference, and a greater WHtR (by 0.04). CONCLUSIONS Excess body weight was identified in 25% of children aged 10 - 12 years, significantly increasing their risk of developing hypertension.