Prevalence and risk factors of hypertension in adolescents: a cross-sectional study based on junior high schools in southwest China

Abstract

Abstract Background Hypertension in children and adolescents has become a major public health problem worldwide. However, due to the lack of epidemiological data and the absence of clear risk factors for hypertension, it is likely that many pediatric hypertensive patients are not correctly identified and given adequate attention. This study aimed to investigate hypertension prevalence and risk factors in adolescents in southwest China. Methods A junior high school-based cross-sectional study was conducted involving a total of 886 pupils (466 males and 420 females) aged 11 to 14 years in the first and second grades of two schools. Height, weight, waist circumference, skinfold thickness, and blood pressure (BP) were measured according to standard protocols, and blood samples were collected for uric acid (UA), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to find the risk factors associated with hypertension, and multiple linear regression analysis was used to find the factors affecting systolic and diastolic BP. Results The overall prevalence of hypertension and elevated BP was 14.4% and 16.9%, respectively. Obesity (OR: 5.73, 95%CI: 3.27–10.03) and overweight (OR: 2.33, 95%CI: 1.54–3.52) were associated with hypertension. Hdl-c (standardized β = 0.098, p = 0.001) and TC (standardized β = 0.075, p = 0.023) were associated with systolic and diastolic BP, respectively. Conclusions The Chinese junior high school students who participated in the survey had a high prevalence of hypertension related to obesity and overweight. Notably, dyslipidemia may have influenced the development of hypertension.