Original scientific paper
Elevated Blood Pressure in School Children and Adolescents – Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors
Vera Musil
Marjeta Majer
Vesna Jureša
Abstract
Elevated blood pressure (BP) in children and adolescents is determined on normative distribution of BP in healthy children. The aim of this study was to determine prevalence of high normal and elevated BP among school children and to assess associated risk factors. The study comprised 965 children (48.7% girls) in 8th grade of primary school. Data were obtained from questionnaire and anthropometric measurements. The prevalence of high normal BP was 28.5% in girls, 36.8% in boys, and elevated BP 7.9% in girls and 5.3% in boys. Overweight was present in 19.4% of girls and 9.3%
boys with high normal, and 29.7% of girls and 30.8% boys with elevated BP. Hypertension in family history was the most common associated factor reported by boys and girls with high normal and elevated BP. Follow-up of children throughout school age makes possible taking of preventative measures and promotion of healthy life style.
Keywords
children; adolescent; blood pressure; risk factors; school health service
Hrčak ID:
75650
URI
Publication date:
2.1.2012.
Visits: 1.488 *