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Prevalence of childhood hypertension and hypertension phenotypes by weight status and waist circumference: the Healthy Growth Study

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to report for the first time the prevalence of hypertension and its phenotypes in obese children and in children with central obesity in a large sample of Greek children.

Methods

A regionally representative sample of 2263 schoolchildren (50.3% boys) (9–13 years) having full data on blood pressure assessment, physical examination, anthropometric, and physical activity participated in a cross-sectional study in Greece.

Results

Prevalence of stage 1 and 2 hypertension, of isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) and of combined systolic or diastolic hypertension, was significantly higher for obese children and children on the 3rd tertile of waist circumference in the total sample, as well as in each gender separately. ISH was the most prevalent phenotype reaching 24.3% in obese children and 17.5% in children on the highest tertile of waist circumference. Obese children and children on the highest tertile of waist circumference had 6.31 times and 3.94 times, respectively, higher likelihood to have abnormal systolic or diastolic blood pressure (SBP or DBP) than their normal-weight counterparts.

Conclusions

Prevalence of hypertension and especially ISH in obese children and in children with central obesity in Greece are among the highest reported in Europe. Future public health initiatives should aim to prevent or tackle several underlying factors related to childhood hypertension, focusing primarily on children with excess body weight.

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Acknowledgements

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

Healthy Growth Study Group

Harokopio University Research Team/Department of Nutrition and Dietetics: Yannis Manios (Coordinator), George Moschonis (Project manager), Katerina P. Skenderi, Evangelia Grammatikaki, Odysseas Androutsos, Sofia Tanagra, Alexandra Koumpitski, Paraskevi-Eirini Siatitsa, Anastasia Vandorou, Aikaterini-Efstathia Kyriakou, Vasiliki Dede, Maria Kantilafti, Aliki-Eleni Farmaki, Aikaterini Siopi, Sofia Micheli, Louiza Damianidi, Panagiota Margiola, Despoina Gakni, Vasiliki Iatridi, Christina Mavrogianni, Kelaidi Michailidou, Aggeliki Giannopoulou, Efstathoula Argyri, Konstantina Maragkopoulou, Maria Spyridonos, Eirini Tsikalaki, Panagiotis Kliasios, Anthi Naoumi, Konstantinos Koutsikas, Epistimi Aggelou, Zoi Krommyda, Charitini Aga, Manolis Birbilis, Ioanna Kosteria, Amalia Zlatintsi, Elpida Voutsadaki, Eleni-Zouboulia Papadopoulou, Zoi Papazi, Maria Papadogiorgakaki, Fanouria Chlouveraki, Maria Lyberi, Nora Karatsikaki-Vlami, Eva Dionysopoulou, Efstratia Daskalou.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University of Athens, 70, El.Venizelou Ave, 17671, Kallithea, Athens, Greece

    Yannis Manios, K. Karatzi, G. Moschonis, C. Tsirimiagou & O. Androutsos

  2. Cardiovascular Prevention and Research Unit, Department of Pathophysiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece

    A. D. Protogerou

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

    C. Lionis

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

    G. P. Chrousos

Authors
  1. Yannis Manios
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  2. K. Karatzi
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  3. A. D. Protogerou
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  4. G. Moschonis
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  5. C. Tsirimiagou
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  6. O. Androutsos
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  7. C. Lionis
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  8. G. P. Chrousos
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yannis Manios.

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Financial support

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.

Ethical standards

The present manuscript has been approved by the appropriate ethics committee and it has been performed in accordance with the ethical standards laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments. All participants gave their informed consent prior to their inclusion in the study. No details that might disclose the identity of the subjects under study are included.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Manios, Y., Karatzi, K., Protogerou, A.D. et al. Prevalence of childhood hypertension and hypertension phenotypes by weight status and waist circumference: the Healthy Growth Study. Eur J Nutr 57, 1147–1155 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-017-1398-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-017-1398-y

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