Research Journal of Medical Sciences
ISSN: Online 1993-6095ISSN: Print 1815-9346
Abstract
Obesity is a product of imbalance between energy intake and energy output. Several factors such as overeating, psycho social factors, physical inactivity and genetic predisposition trigger this energy imbalance. The comorbidities of obesity include hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke and certain types of cancers, NIDDM, gallbladder disease, dyslipidemia, osteoarthritis, gout and pulmonary diseases including sleep apnea. Aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of obesity and hypertension among apparently healthy school aged children of Kadapa. This was a Cross Sectional study done in one year period in 1900 students. Out of 1900 children, 65.26% were males and 34.73% were females, 17.5% were aged 12 years. Prevalence of obesity was 3.89% and overweight was 5.21%. Prevalence of hypertension was 1.36% and pre hypertension was 1.26%. 2.09% boys were obese and 1.5% was hypertensive. 7.27% girls were obese and 1.06% was hypertensive. Prevalence of obesity was more in girls than in boys and the observation is statistically significant. Prevalence of hypertension was slightly higher in boys but the observation was statistically insignificant. Anthropometric variables like height, weight and body mass index showed positive correlation with systolic as well as diastolic blood pressure. Obese children are at a higher risk of “childhood onset of adult diseases”.
How to cite this article:
S. Abdul Khaleef, M. Rajasekhar and Satna Soumya. Prevalence of Obesity and Hypertension Among Apparently Healthy School Children Aged 5‐15 Years.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.36478/makrjms.2024.12.690.694
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/10.36478/makrjms.2024.12.690.694