Association Between Hypertension Risk in Adolescents and Body Mass Index: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and aim: Hypertension, linked to lifestyle factors, is increasing among adolescents, particularly overweight and obese adolescents. Early detection is crucial to reducing disability and premature death. Moreover, most research is conducted in developed countries, leaving little information for the Indian context. Thus, this study aims to investigate the link between adolescent obesity and hypertension to address this knowledge gap.Material and methods: A cross-sectional study of 600 school-going adolescents was conducted, collecting sociodemographic information and measuring blood pressure thrice. Body Mass Index (BMI) was categorized using Asian cut-off points, while blood pressure was classified according to the National High Blood Pressure Educational Program guidelines. The data was expressed in percentages and proportions, with a p-value less than 0.05 considered significant.Results: Among the adolescents, 68% were categorized as underweight. Notably, the prevalence of hypertension increased dramatically from 7% in underweight to 36% in obese adolescents. BMI was found to account for 16% of the variability in Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) (R2 = 0.157) and 6% of the variability in Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) (R2 = 0.06). Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was observed between blood pressure (SBP and DBP) and BMI (p lt; 0.001).Conclusions: The study reveals a strong link between BMI and blood pressure levels, with higher BMIs increasing hypertension prevalence, especially concerning SBP. It underscores the need for continuous monitoring and proactive BMI management in adolescents to prevent and address blood pressure-related issues.