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- Title
Blood pressure and related cardiovascular disease risk factors in 6–18 year-old students in Italy.
- Authors
Pileggi, Claudia; Carbone, Vincenzo; Nobile, Carmelo G. A.; Pavia, Maria
- Abstract
Objectives : The aims of this study were to provide data on blood pressure (BP) levels, to measure prevalence of high-normal or high BP and to identify a set of conditions that may predict high BP (HBP) in a population of children and adolescents in Italy. Methods : A random sample of students 6–18 years old attending randomly selected schools in Catanzaro, Italy, was recruited. All students completed a questionnaire on their health and on health behaviours, such as physical activity, diet, drinking and smoking. Blood pressure, heart rate, height, weight and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. Results : Of the 603 subjects examined, 12.8% had high-normal BP, 3.5% hypertension (HTN) and 11.1% were obese. High-normal or high diastolic BP (DBP) was significantly more likely in older subjects with a higher BMI, in those with a smoker mother and in preterm children, whereas high-normal or high systolic BP (SBP) was significantly more likely to be found in older subjects with a higher BMI and in those who had at least one parent with HTN. High-normal or high DBP or SBP were significantly predicted by BMI and age. Conclusions : Interventions should focus at reducing obesity and encouraging proper dietary habits, sufficient exercise and cessation of smoking habit in parents too, especially in children with a family history of HTN.
- Subjects
ITALY; BLOOD pressure; HYPERTENSION; HYPERTENSION in children; HYPERTENSION in adolescence; CARDIOVASCULAR diseases
- Publication
Journal of Paediatrics & Child Health, 2005, Vol 41, Issue 7, p347
- ISSN
1034-4810
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1440-1754.2005.00629.x