Correlates of hypertension among urban Asian Indian adolescents

Evaluation of Children and Adolescents with Obesity

Childhood overweight and obesity in Indian children and adolescents is a relatively new but widespread epidemic. Hence, it is necessary to evaluate and identify these children to prevent long-term complications. The most important evaluation to identify and assess obesity-related risks in these children involves anthropometric assessment and using appropriate growth charts. Overweight and obesity are defined using weight-for-length or -height parameters (World Health Organization 2006 charts) in Indian children less than 5 y and body mass index (Indian Academy of Pediatric 2015 charts) in Indian children aged 5-18 y. Waist circumference is another important predictor of pediatric obesity-related comorbidities and is also a component to define metabolic syndrome. Tall and obese children usually have primary obesity, and short and obese children require further evaluation for endocrine disease or syndromic causes. The presence of developmental delay, hearing or vision impairment, genital and digit abnormalities or dysmorphism should warrant a genetic evaluation. It is important to document social and dietary history as well as time spent in physical activity and usage of electronic screen. Finally, comorbidities associated with childhood obesity are common, which can result in long-term complications; hence, these comorbidities should be screened and managed to prevent long-term cardiometabolic risks.

Prevalence of hypertension among adolescents (10-19 years) in India: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies

BACKGROUND

Despite the well-known short-term and long-term ill effects of elevated blood pressure in children and adolescents, pooled data on its burden among Indian adolescents have not yet been synthesized.

OBJECTIVES

We did a systematic review with meta-analysis to calculate the pooled prevalence of hypertension among adolescents (10-19 years) in India.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, Google Scholar and IndMed, and included cross-sectional studies reporting data on hypertension prevalence among 10 to19 years old and published in English language from their inception till 1st March 2020. Modified New castle Ottawa scale was used to assess risk of bias based on research design, recruitment strategy, response rate and reliability of outcome determination. A random effects model was used to estimate pooled prevalence, and heterogeneity was assessed using Cochrane's Q statistic test of heterogeneity and I2 statistic. To explore the heterogeneity, we did a meta-regression, and sub-group analyses based on region, study setting and number of blood pressure readings.

RESULTS

Out of 25 studies (pooled sample of 27,682 participants) six studies were of high, eighteen of moderate, and one was of low quality. The prevalence of hypertension across studies ranged from 2% to 20.5%, with a pooled estimate of 7.6% (95% CI: 6.1 to 9.1%), I2 = 96.6% (p-value <0.001). Sub-group analysis restricted only to the western India demonstrated a smaller heterogeneity (I2 = 18.3%). In univariate model of meta-regression, diagnostic criteria was significantly associated with pooled prevalence (-4.33, 95%CI: -7.532, -1.134).

CONCLUSION

The pooled prevalence of hypertension among adolescent in India is 7.6% with substantial heterogeneity between the studies. To tackle the high prevalence of hypertension among adolescents, early detection by screening under school health programme and opportunistic screening at Paediatric OPD should be implemented by Policy makers.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and associated risk factors among tribal adolescents of Gujarat

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Metabolic syndrome is rising at an alarming rate in developing countries. In India, increasing influence of urbanization in the rural areas is responsible for transition in lifestyle and diet of the indigenous people. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and the associated risk factors among the adolescents of Kukana tribe of Valsad district, Gujarat.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 296 adolescents (128 boys and 168 girls) aged 14-19 years. Semi-structure interview schedule including demographic characteristics like age, sex, clan, native village was administered. Anthropometric measurements (height, body weight, waist circumference), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, biochemical tests were recorded. Data was entered in MS-Excel, and SPSS was used to analyse descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviations), frequencies and test of significance such t-test and chi-square. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and associated risk factors was determined by National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III modified for adolescents by Cook's criteria.

RESULTS

Overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was estimated as 3.8%, with sex-wise prevalence found to be 3.9% and 3.6% in boys and girls, respectively. Low High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol was the most prevalent individual risk factor observed in the present study.

CONCLUSION

This study is the first study which assessed metabolic syndrome and its components in tribal adolescents in India. Tribal communities are susceptible a triple burden of diseases. Micro-level and grassroot community-based studies should be designed and carried out in tribal communities, in order to provide better healthcare deliveries.

Association between physical activity level and blood pressure: varied and graded mediating effects of obesity indices in schoolchildren

OBJECTIVE

To explore the mediating effects of adiposity indices in the association between physical activity level and blood pressure in a Nigerian schoolchildren population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One thousand five hundred and seventeen schoolchildren (714 males and 803 females) from randomly selected primary schools participated. Physical activity level, sum of skinfold thickness at three sites, waist circumference, body mass index, and blood pressure were measured using standardised procedures. The statistical significance of the mediating effects of adiposity indices was determined using Sobel Test.

RESULTS

Some obesity indices mediated the association between physical activity level and systolic blood pressure in males [waist circumference (t = 5.31; p < 0.001), skin-fold thickness (t = 3.80; p < 0.001) and waist-circumference/height (t = 2.21; p < 0.001)] and in females [body mass index (t = 8.03; p < 0.001), waist circumference (t = 7.80; p < 0.001), and skin-fold thickness (t = 5.94; p < 0.001)]. Similarly, some obesity indices mediated the association of physical activity and diastolic blood pressure in males [body mass index (t = 1.95; p = 0.05), waist circumference (t = 2.65; p = 0.01), and skin-fold thickness (t = 1.97; p = 0.05)], and in females [body mass index (t = 6.49; p < 0.001), waist circumference (t = 6.29; p < 0.001), skin-fold thickness (t = 2.31; p = 0.02) and waist-circumference/Height (t = 2.59; p = 0.01)].

CONCLUSION

The obesity indices that mediate the association between physical activity level and blood pressure vary, and their mediating effects are graded. While waist circumference and skinfold thickness exert the greatest mediating effects on the association in males, body mass index and waist circumference do in females.

Cardiovascular and Metabolic Complications - Diagnosis and Management in Obese Children

The world at present is facing a burden of rising prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents. The developing countries are particularly facing the dual burden on under-nutrition and obesity. This is associated with appearance and clustering of cardiometabolic abnormalities at an early age with development of chronic complications early and possible decrease in life span of these children and adolescents. In adults this clustering has been termed as 'metabolic syndrome' with definitions that can be used universally. However, in children and adolescents there is no consensus on a uniform definition of metabolic syndrome that can be applicable across the age groups and various ethnicities. Further, as childhood is a period of growth and development, changes in body composition and insulin sensitivity that occur with puberty may influence the thresholds of components used to define metabolic syndrome. Children of South Asian ethnicity appear to be more predisposed to develop abnormalities of metabolic syndrome, possible due to their adverse body fat patterning and genetic influences. The definition of pediatric metabolic syndrome proposed by International Diabetes Federation is useful across different ethnicities. Presence of at least one component of metabolic syndrome should lead to detailed screening for other components and complications. A multimodality approach including therapeutic lifestyle changes targeted at the individual, family and community is essential for management. Pharmacotherapy for individual components may be required if initial management strategies fail to achieve the goals.

Prevalence and correlates of metabolic syndrome in the adolescents of rural wardha

Background and Objective:

Metabolic syndrome is a major concern as a precursor of cardiometabolic diseases. The present study was designed to study the magnitude and correlates of metabolic syndrome among the adolescents of rural Wardha.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional study was carried out among the adolescents (10-19 years) of Anji PHC. A sample of 405 was selected by random sampling from the sampling frame available with department of Community Medicine. We collected data about their sociodemographic variables and other cardiometabolic risk factors. Fasting blood sample was collected to measure lipid profile and blood glucose. Blood pressure and anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and waist circumference) were also taken.

Results:

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome using ATP-III criteria modified for adolescents was found to be 9.9% (95% CI: 7.3-13.1) in the study population and lower level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was found with a prevalence of 58.3% (95% CI: 53.4-63.0). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was found to be significantly (P < 0.05) associated with the presence of obesity and hypertension among family members.

Interpretation:

There was a moderately high prevalence of metabolic syndrome among rural adolescents.

Conclusion:

The early identification of cardiometabolic risk factors such as hypertension and obesity can help prevent metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Long-term predictors of blood pressure among adolescents during an 18-month school-based obesity prevention intervention

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effectiveness of the HEROES (Healthy, Energetic, Ready, Outstanding, Enthusiastic Schools) initiative, a multicomponent school-based obesity prevention intervention based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's coordinated school health approach, on the improvement of blood pressure (BP) and to determine long-term predictors of systolic and diastolic BP changes among high school students who were exposed to the intervention.

METHODS

Biometric and behavioral data from high school students were analyzed at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months (N = 847, three schools). The attrition rate at 18 months was 26.1%. Sequential generalized estimating equation models were fit to the data using SAS 9.3, taking into account clustering effects within the same school and correlations within repeated measures.

RESULTS

A significant downward trend was observed in systolic BP (p = .0006) and diastolic BP (p < .0001) among the students who were exposed to the HEROES initiative. The prevalence of hypertension decreased from 17.1% at baseline to 12.8% at 6 months (p < .0001), 12.0% at 12 months (p < .0001), and 15.0% (p = .0024) at 18 months. Baseline body mass index, increases in body mass index percentiles, and increases of television-viewing hours were associated with BP increases. Increases in frequencies of eating french fries or chips, skipping breakfast, and consuming supersize meals when eating fast food were predictive of systolic BP changes, not of diastolic BP changes.

CONCLUSIONS

An 18-month multicomponent school-based obesity intervention program may be effectively used to decrease rates of high BP among adolescents.

Waist circumference percentiles in 2-18 year old Indian children

OBJECTIVES

To develop reference percentile curves in Indian children for waist circumference (WC), and to provide a cutoff of WC percentile to identify children at risk for metabolic syndrome (MS).

STUDY DESIGN

A multicenter, cross-sectional study was performed in 5 major Indian cities. Height, weight, and blood pressure (BP) were measured in 10,842 children (6065 boys). Elevated BP was defined as either systolic BP or diastolic BP >95th percentile. WC was measured with the child standing using a stretch-resistant tape. Sex-specific reference percentiles were computed using the LMS method which constructs reference percentiles adjusted for skewness. To determine optimal cutoffs for WC percentiles, a validation sample of 208 children was assessed for MS risk factors (ie, anthropometry, BP, blood lipids), and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Age- and sex-specific WC percentiles (5th, 10th, 15th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 85th, 90th, and 95th) are presented. WC values increased with age in both the boys and the girls. The median WC at age >15 years was greater in boys compared with girls. ROC analysis suggested the 70th percentile as a cutoff for MS risk (sensitivity, 0.84 in boys and 0.82 in girls; specificity, 0.85 in both boys and girls; area under the ROC curve, 0.88 in boys and 0.92 in girls).

CONCLUSION

Age- and sex-specific reference curves for WC for Indian children and cutoff values of 70th WC percentile for screening for MS risk are provided.

A cross-sectional study of the prevalence and risk factors for hypertension in rural Nepali women

Background

The prevalence of hypertension is increasing in much of the South Asian region, including Nepal. This paper reports the prevalence and risk factors of hypertension and pre-hypertension among adult women in a rural community of Nepal.

Methods

Cross-sectional data on socioeconomic status (SES), lifestyle factors and blood pressure (BP) were collected from a cohort of 15,934 women in rural Nepal in 2006–08. Among a subsample (n = 1679), anthropometry and biomarkers of cardiovascular risk were measured.

Results

The mean age of women was 34.2 years (range 16.4-71.2 years). More than three percent (3.3%) had hypertension and 14.4% had pre-hypertension. In an adjusted analysis, lower SES, especially lower household farm assets and storage of food for long term consumption, was associated with increased odds of hypertension (OR = 1.14 for mid-level SES and OR = 1.40 for low SES; p for trend < 0.01). Smoking, alcohol use and not working outside the home were also associated with higher risk. In a subsample, both systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were positively associated with high triglycerides (SBP β = 4.1 mm Hg; DBP β =3.6 mm Hg), high HbA1c (SBP β = 14.0; DBP β = 9.2), raised fasting glucose (SBP β = 10.0; DBP β = 6.9), high BMI (SBP β = 6.7; DBP β = 5.1) and high waist circumference (SBP β = 6.2; DBP β = 5.3) after adjusting for potential confounders (p for all <0.01).

Conclusions

Although the prevalence of hypertension was low in this cohort, it was more prevalent among the poorer women and was strongly associated with other cardiovascular risks. These associations at a relatively young age may confer greater risk for cardiovascular disease among women in later life, indicating the need for interventions to reduce the progression from pre-hypertension to hypertension.

Long-term effect of lifestyle intervention on adiposity, metabolic parameters, inflammation and physical fitness in obese children: a randomized controlled trial

Background:

Behavioral lifestyle intervention, combined with parental involvement, is preferred over standard care or self-help in childhood obesity. The short-term results of such interventions are promising, but long-term follow-up results are equivocal.

Objective:

The objective of the present study was the short (3 months) and long-term (1 and 2 years follow-up) effect evaluation of a family-based multidisciplinary cognitive behavioral lifestyle intervention on markers of adiposity, metabolism, inflammation and physical fitness compared with standard care in children with obesity. Also the association between these outcome variables was determined.

Methods:

In this prospective longitudinal clinical trial, obese children were randomly assigned to a 3-month family-based cognitive behavioral multidisciplinary lifestyle treatment (n=40; body mass index-standard deviation score (BMI-SDS) 4.2±0.7; age; 13.3±2.0 years) or to a control group receiving an initial advice on physical activity and nutrition (n=39; BMI-SDS 4.3±0.6; age 13.1±1.9 years). Anthropometric data, physical fitness, metabolic parameters and inflammatory state were evaluated at baseline, after intervention (at 3 months) and at 1-year follow-up. At 2-year follow-up, anthropometric data and physical fitness were measured in the intervention group.

Results:

An intervention effect after 1 year was found for adiposity (P=0.02 for BMI-SDS, P=0.03 for waist circumference (WC)-SDS), physical fitness (absolute measured peak value of oxygen uptake (ml min⁻¹), standardized for age and gender (VO_2peak-SDS), P<0.01) and insulin resistance (HOMA-SDS, P=0.04). No significant intervention effect was found for serum lipid profile, high-sensitive C-reactive protein or for adiponectin. At 2-year follow-up, BMI-SDS in the intervention group (n=31) was 3.8±1.2 SDS, significantly less than at baseline (P=0.02).

Conclusion:

A positive 1-year follow-up treatment effect was found for adiposity, physical fitness and glucose homeostasis, but not for inflammatory markers. There was a significant long-term treatment effect on adiposity, although almost all children remained obese.