Childhood Obesity and Blood Pressure Patterns among School-Going Children in Hyderabad, Sindh: A Cross-Sectional Study

Obesity and Blood Pressure in School-Going Children

Abstract

Background: Childhood obesity and high blood pressure are becoming issues of concern in low and middle-income countries. Aim: To find out the rates of underweight, overweight, obesity, and hypertension and explain age- and sex-specific changes in body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure among school-going children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on school-going children aged between 5 and 17 years, using stratified random sampling in the public and private schools in Hyderabad. The standardized procedures were used in measuring height, weight, waist and hip circumference, and blood pressure. BMI was used based on the standards of the World Health Organization and blood pressure was categorized based on age and sex-specific pediatric guidelines. The analysis of data was done in a descriptive manner. Results: The total prevalence of hypertension was 1.44, and none of the cases were found below the age of nine. The prevalence of hypertension also grew gradually with age with the highest rate of 4.14 percent among adolescents aged 1617 years. The prevalence of overweight grew in a continuous way between early childhood and adolescence, but obesity was not common (total prevalence 0.85%). Underweight was reported in 9.53% of the participants with increased rates in mid-adolescence. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure rose with age in boys and girls. Conclusion: Hyderabad school-going children exhibit age related rise in blood pressure and prevalence of overweights and continuous undernourishment.