[Prevalence of overweight and obesity, and their relation to high blood pressure and central adiposity in students].

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is associated with a broad spectrum of cardiometabolic diseases that are also present in childhood. Objective. To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in six- to nine- year old children and analyze their relation to high blood pressure (HBP) and central adiposity.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study in 1st to 3rd graders. Weight, height, waist circumference and blood pressure were assessed. We calculated Body Mass Index, and estimated the prevalence of overweight and obesity. Statistical analysis was performed using the Epi Info 6.04 software. Statistical significance: p < 0.05.

RESULTS

The general prevalence of overweight and obesity was 17.9% and 16.7%, respectively. Overweight was significantly higher in boys than in girls (p = 0.035); 9.4% of the population had high blood pressure, with no significant gender differences (9.1% and 9.7%). Prevalence of high blood pressure in overweight and obese children was 10.9% and 25%, respectively (p = 0,001). Waist circumference above the 80th percentile was 16.6% in overweight and 26.5% in obese children. The body mass index/waist circumference correlation coefficient was 0.79.

CONCLUSION

This study shows a high prevalence of overweight and a positive association between body mass index or high blood pressure and central adiposity. Preventive measures to control overweight are imperative in the City of Santa Teresita.