Overweight and blood pressure: results from the examination of a selected group of adolescents in northern Italy

Public Health Nutrition

L Maccarini¹  R Bazzano¹  G Turconi¹  C Roggi¹ 

关键词: Overweight;    Blood pressure;    Hypertension;    Body mass index;    Adiposity indices;   

DOI  :  10.1017/S1368980007001255

学科分类：卫生学

来源: Cambridge University Press

【 摘 要 】

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to investigate blood pressure (BP) levels and their relationship with different indices of body fat in a group of adolescents, in order to evaluate the prevalence of hypertension and plan preventive and corrective strategies.DesignCross-sectional study in primary care.SettingAll high schools in the Aosta Valley region, northern Italy.SubjectsFive hundred and thirty-two adolescents of both sexes, aged 15·4 (standard deviation 0·7) years. The following parameters were measured: body weight, body height, body mass index (BMI), four skinfold thicknesses, body fat mass, waist and hip circumferences and BP.ResultsBMI data indicated a high prevalence of overweight subjects in both sexes, but higher in males, while the prevalence rate of obese adolescents was lower. Of the total, 11·8 % of subjects suffered from systolic hypertension, while 6·9 % suffered from diastolic hypertension. In linear correlation analysis, BMI and all adiposity indices, except waist:hip ratio, were found to be significantly associated (P ranging between 0·05 and 0·001) with both systolic BP and diastolic BP in both sexes, with r ranging between 0·152 and 0·359. Multiple regression analysis with the stepwise method showed BMI and body fat mass to have the strongest association (P < 0·001) with BP, with r ranging between 0·275 and 0·359.ConclusionUnless reversed, these conditions are worrying and predict the possible development of cardiovascular disease in adulthood. There is a pressing need to develop a comprehensive medical and nutrition plan, together with preventive and corrective strategies, in school programmes.

【 授权许可】

Unknown