High blood pressure in schoolchildren: Associated sociodemographic and biochemical factors

Abstract

Introduction and objective: Pediatric hypertension has increased in the last decade, and it is thus crucial to identify the factors associated with the development of high blood pressure (BP) and other cardiovascular disorders. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association between high BP and sociodemographic and biochemical factors in schoolchildren.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1201 children and adolescents, between seven and 17 years old, of both sexes. The sociodemographic data analyzed were gender, age, school system and socioeconomic status. Among biochemical indicators, blood glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) were assessed. In the analysis of BP, schoolchildren were classified as normal, borderline or hypertensive. Associations were tested using Poisson regression through prevalence ratios (PR).

Results: High BP was identified in 16.2% of the students. In females, the prevalence of high BP was 7% lower than in males (p=0.001), but was higher among adolescents (PR: 1.11, p<0.001) and schoolchildren in the state school system (PR: 1.05; p=0.013). Concerning biochemical indicators, BP change was associated with pre-diabetes (PR: 1.09; p=0.001) and borderline HDL-C (PR: 1.09; p=0.007).

Conclusion: Among the sociodemographic factors associated with high BP are male gender, adolescence and attending the state education system. This condition was also associated with pre-diabetes and borderline HDL-C.

Keywords: Adolescent; Adolescente; Blood pressure; Child; Criança; Pressão arterial; Saúde escolar; School health.