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.