Risk factors for primary hypertension in childhood.

Introduction: Essential hypertension is a multifactorial disease with increasing incidence and prevalence. Objectives: To identify risk factors for hypertension, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and physical activity of children and adolescents. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study. Variables were: sex, age, family medical history, weight, height, BMI, BP and physical activity. Results: 325 patients were booked of which 41 records were excluded for being incomplete. 284 patients were analyzed. Female 54.5% (n=155) and 45.5% males (n=129). Age 11.06 ± 2.69 years. According to the BMI Malnutrition 6.4% (n=18) Normal weight: 53.5% (n=152) Overweight: 25.4% (n=72) Obesity: 14.7% (n:42 ) overweight or obesity: 40.1%. BP 110/70 74.7% (n=212) BP = 110/70 25.3% (n=75). According Physical Activity: Active 31.4% (n=89), Moderately Active: 63.7% (n=181), Physical Activity Nula 4.9% (n=14). According to BP was divided into 2 groups. Group 1: BP 110/70 (74.7%) BP: 63±94.4/68.8±7. Age: 10.53±2.7 years. BMI: Malnutrition 7.6%(n=16). Normal weight 56.8%(n:120). Overweight: 22%(n=48). Obesity 13.6%(n=28). 35.6% overweight and obesity. Active physical activity 30.2%(n=64) 65.1% Moderately active (n=138). No physical activity 4.7% (n=10). Family history of hypertension: 59.4% . Diabetes 28.8%. Diabetes and hypertension 2.8%. Group 2: Blood Pressure 110/70 (25.3%) blood pressure: 115.18±7.2/8.8±69.86. Age: 12.58±1.9 years. BMI: Malnutrition 2.7% (n=2). Normal weight 46.7% (n=35). Overweight: 32% (n=24). Obesity 18.7% (n=14). 50.7% overweight and obesity. Active physical activity 34.7% (n=26) Moderately active 61.3% (n=46). No physical activity 4% (n=3). Family History of Hypertension: 60%. Diabetes 36%. Diabetes and hypertension 30.3%. Conclusion: The population needs a long-term intervention on diet and physical activity.