Objective: The 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. Design: Cross-sectional study in primary care. Setting: All high schools in the Aosta Valley region, northern Italy. Subjects: Five 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. Results: BMI 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. Conclusion: Unless 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.

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

TURCONI, GIOVANNA MARIA CLELIA;MACCARINI, LAURA;BAZZANO, ROSELLA;ROGGI, CARLA
2008-01-01

Abstract

Objective: The 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. Design: Cross-sectional study in primary care. Setting: All high schools in the Aosta Valley region, northern Italy. Subjects: Five 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. Results: BMI 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. Conclusion: Unless 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.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11571/140669
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