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Anthropometric cut-off values identifying Greek children at risk of hypertension: the Healthy Growth Study

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Abstract

Excess body weight and fat mass levels in children have previously been associated with childhood hypertension. The aim of the current study was to identify anthropometric and body composition indices most strongly associated with hypertension and to propose relevant cut-off values for these indices, above which the likelihood of hypertension in schoolchildren aged 9–13 years old is increased. A sample of 2,665 children participated in a cross-sectional epidemiological study, the Healthy Growth Study. The current study enrolled 1,315 children with full data on blood pressure, anthropometric, and body composition indices. Increased blood pressure in children was associated with body mass index (BMI) (odds ratio (OR) 1.188), waist circumference (OR 1.062), waist-to-height ratio (OR 1.101), total body fat mass (OR 1.063), and trunk fat mass levels (OR 1.083). Also, BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, trunk fat mass, and total body fat mass levels above the age-specific and gender-specific cut-off values identified in the present study were associated with a higher likelihood of hypertension. Anthropometric and body composition indices and the relevant cut-off values proposed by the current study can be used for identifying children with higher likelihood of presence of hypertension, as the available BMI thresholds for identifying overweight and obese children may underestimate those at increased risk of hypertension. It is essential for future studies to confirm these findings.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the “Healthy Growth Study” group for the valuable contribution to the completion of the study.

Funding

This research has been co-financed by the European Union (European Social Fund—ESF) and Greek national funds through the Operational Program “Education and Lifelong Learning” of the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF)—Research Funding Program: Heracleitus II. Investing in knowledge society through the European Social Fund.

Author contributions

GM conception and design of the study, collection of data, drafting and revision of the manuscript, and approved the final version of the manuscript. KK analysis and interpretation of data, drafting and revision of the manuscript, and approved the final version of the manuscript. O.A. collection and interpretation of data, drafting and revision of the manuscript, and approved the final version of the manuscript. CL interpretation of data, drafting and revision of the manuscript, and approved the final version of the manuscript. GPC interpretation of data, drafting and revision of the manuscript, and approved the final version of the manuscript. YM conception and design of the study, interpretation of data, drafting and revision of the manuscript, and approved the final version of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rehabilitation, Nutrition and Sport, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia

    George Moschonis

  2. Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    Kalliopi Karatzi, Odysseas Androutsos & Yannis Manios

  3. Clinic of Social and Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Heraklion, University of Crete, Crete, Greece

    Christos Lionis

  4. First Department of Pediatrics, Athens University Medical School, Aghia Sophia, Children’s Hospital, Athens, Greece

    George P. Chrousos

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  1. George Moschonis
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  2. Kalliopi Karatzi
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  3. Odysseas Androutsos
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  4. Christos Lionis
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  5. George P. Chrousos
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  6. Yannis Manios
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Correspondence to Yannis Manios.

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Moschonis, G., Karatzi, K., Androutsos, O. et al. Anthropometric cut-off values identifying Greek children at risk of hypertension: the Healthy Growth Study. J Hum Hypertens 32, 190–196 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41371-018-0031-8

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