Prevalence of hypertension among school going adolescent boys in Najafgarh, Delhi, India

Status and correlates of non-communicable diseases among children and adolescents in slum and non-slum areas of India's four metropolitan cities

The emergence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in childhood poses a serious risk to a healthy adult life. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of NCDs among children and adolescents in slums and non-slums areas of four metropolitan cities of India, and in rural areas of the respective states The study further, investigated the effect of the place residence as slum vs. non-slum and other risk factors of the NCDs. Nationally representative data from the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS) was used.. Estimates were based on children (5-9 years) and adolescents (10-19 years) for whom biomarkers predicting diabetes, high total cholesterol, high triglycerides and hypertension were determined. Weight, height and age data were used to calculate z-scores of the body mass index. Overweight and obesity was higher in urban areas than in rural areas among children and adolescents. Regional differences in the prevalence of diseases were observed; children in Delhi and Chennai had a higher likelihood of being diabetic while children in Kolkata were at a greater risk of high total cholesterol and high triglycerides. The risk of hypertension was strikingly high among non-slum children in Delhi. Children from slums were at a higher risk of diabetes compared to the children from non-slums, while children and adolecents from non-slums were at a greater risk of high triglycerides and hypertension respectively than their counterparts from slums. Male children and adolecents had a higher risk of diabetes and high cholesterol. Screening of children for early detection of NCDs should be integrated with the already existing child and adolescent development schemes in schools and the community can help in prevention and control of NCDs in childhood.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Hypertension Among Adolescents in a Rural Community of North India

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Hypertension exerts a substantial burden on the healthcare system in India. Recent literature suggests hypertension to be a rising health problem not only in adults but also in adolescents. The early diagnosis of hypertension in adolescents and timely interventions are key in reducing the burden of hypertension-related morbidity and mortality in later life. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with hypertension among adolescents residing in a rural community in north India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a community-based cross-sectional study done in Ballabgarh, Haryana. A computer-generated random sample of 600 adolescents was drawn through a sampling frame of adolescents (10-19 years) listed in the Health Management Information System. House visits were made and a semi-structured interview schedule was used. Blood pressure was measured using a digital blood pressure (BP) apparatus (OMRON digital BP monitor, three readings) with age-appropriate cuffs, and hypertension was defined using the American Academy of Pediatrics 2017/Indian Academy of Pediatrics 2022 criteria. Age-adjusted BMI was calculated using AnthroPlus software (Geneva, Switzerland: WHO). The prevalence of hypertension was reported with a 95% confidence interval. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was done to determine the association of hypertension with the associated factors.

RESULTS

In this study, 550 adolescents participated, of which 284 (51.6%) were males. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 18.9% (95% CI: 15.8-22.4%), stage 1 hypertension 17.3% (95% CI: 14.3-20.7%), and stage 2 hypertension 1.6% (95% CI: 0.8-3.1%). The participants aged 15-19 years (adjusted OR: 2.40, 95% CI: 1.51-3.80) compared to adolescents aged 10-14 years, and those who were overweight/obese (adjusted OR: 3.93, 95% CI: 2.14-7.20) compared to those with normal weight had significantly greater odds; whereas the female sex had lesser odds (adjusted OR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.32-0.81) of having hypertension compared to male adolescents.

CONCLUSION

Approximately one-fifth of the participants in this study had hypertension, highlighting the need for interventions including lifestyle modification and active case finding targeting adolescents.

Prevalence and risk factors of hypertension among college freshmen in China

Hypertension is the leading single contributor to all-cause death and disability worldwide. However, there is scarce evidence on the prevalence and risk factors of hypertension for Chinese youth. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of hypertension among Chinese college freshmen and to identify the influencing factors. We conducted a cross-sectional study of all freshmen from 2015 to 2017 at a university in Wuhan, China by physical examination and standard-structured questionnaire. The Pearson chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables. Forward stepwise logistic regression method was used in the multivariate analysis to identify independent predictors of hypertension in youth. A total of 12,849 participants were included, and the prevalence of hypertension of Chinese college freshmen was 4.3% (7.9% in men and 1.6% in women). Men had a higher risk of hypertension than women (odds ratio [OR]: 5.358, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.345-6.607, P < 0.001). Obese people were more likely to develop hypertension than those with normal body mass index (OR: 10.465, 95% CI: 8.448-12.964, P < 0.001). People with elevated resting heart rate (RHR) had a higher prevalence of hypertension (OR: 4.987, 95% CI: 3.641-6.832, P < 0.001). Staying up late (OR: 2.957, 95% CI: 2.482-3.523, P < 0.001), physical inactivity (OR: 4.973, 95% CI: 4.141-5.972, P < 0.001), living in urban district (OR: 1.864, 95% CI: 1.493-2.329, P < 0.001) and family history of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) (OR: 2.685, 95% CI: 2.108-3.421, P < 0.001) were related to higher prevalence of hypertension in youth. Male, obesity, elevated RHR, physical inactivity and family history of CVDs were identified as important risk factors of hypertension in youth. These risk factors should be given more attention when designing and implementing the interventional programs.