Overweight and obesity associated with high blood pressure: a cross-sectional study in Brazilian students

Abstract

Objective: To verify the association among overweight, obesity and high blood pressure in Brazilian students aged between 6 and 10 years old. Method: Cross-sectional study carried out in the city of Macaé, RJ, in which body mass, height and blood pressure were collected. The body mass index was calculated using the Anthro Plus software and classified according to SISVAN. High systolic/diastolic blood pressure when ≥ 90th percentile by age, gender and height/age percentile (7th Brazilian Guideline on Hypertension). Logistic regression with a 95% confidence interval, using SPSS software were done. Results: A total of 911 children were evaluated and, after stratification by nutritional status, the underweight were excluded. Among the remaining 888 children, the prevalence of overweight was 17.7% and obesity 16.2%. The prevalence of high blood pressure was 34%, with no statistical difference between gender (p=0.57). Overweight was significantly associated with high blood pressure in the 8-9 year old group (OR 1.99; p=004), while obesity was associated in both groups (6-7 year old OR 2.50; p=0.004 and 8-9 year old OR 4.21 p=0.001). Conclusion: The results showed that overweight and obesity significantly increased the chance of high blood pressure among children aged 6 to 10 years old.