Prevalence of Hypertension and Adiposity Indicators Among Children and Adolescents of Meghwal Community: A Cross-sectional Study from Udaipur, Rajasthan (India)

Abstract

Background: Early-age cardiometabolic disorders have a profound impact on adult health status. Studies indicated elevated blood pressure and increased adiposity among children and adolescents to be significantly correlated with adult cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Aim: The study aims to estimate the prevalence of hypertension and adiposity indicators and their association among children and adolescents of Meghwal community, Rajasthan. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 150 boys and girls of 10–18 years. Anthropometric and physiologic variables were collected and categorized into adiposity indicators and blood pressure traits. Results: Prevalence of adiposity indicators in terms of both body mass index (BMI) and waist to height ratio (WHtR) was 2.67%, while almost half of the study participants had underweight BMI (46%). The study observed 16% and 8.67% prevalence of systolic hypertension stages I and II, respectively. Prevalence of diastolic hypertension stages I and II were 26.67% and 6.67%, respectively. The study indicated a range from 22% to 27% of high blood pressure traits attributable to increase in BMI. Further, overweight/obese BMI posed increased risk for systolic hypertension and diastolic pre-hypertension, albeit with no statistical significance. Conclusion: Findings from the present study throw light on the need for routine blood pressure measurements among children and adolescents for early detection and to prevent the risk of CVDs in adults.