Prevalent trends in relatively high blood pressure among children and adolescents in Shandong, China.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension in adults remains a major public health problem. Several studies have provided ample evidence that hypertension in adults has its onset in childhood; children and adolescents with elevated blood pressure (BP) are more likely to become hypertensive adults.

AIM: The present study examined the prevalent trend in relatively high BP among children and adolescents during the past 10 years in Shandong, China.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data for this study were obtained from three national surveys on students' constitution and health carried out by the government in 2000, 2005 and 2010 in Shandong Province, China. A total of 22 548 students aged 7-17 years old were included in this study (7776 in 2000, 7878 in 2005 and 6894 in 2010). Height, weight and BP of all subjects were measured. Relatively high BP status was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 95th percentile for age and gender. Body mass index (BMI) of adolescents was calculated from their height and weight and prevalence of overweight and obesity were obtained according to the screening criteria for overweight and obesity in Chinese students using BMI.

RESULTS: In the past 10 years, the prevalence of relatively high BP increased. The overall prevalence of relatively high BP of children and adolescents aged 7-17 increased from 19.29% (boys) and 14.69% (girls) in 2000 to 26.16% (boys) and 19.77% (girls) in 2010, respectively. The prevalence of combined overweight and obesity increased from 22.26% (boys) and 12.23% (girls) in 2000 to 33.81% (boys) and 19.48% (girls) in 2010.

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of relatively high BP among children and adolescents increased dramatically from 2000 to 2010 in Shandong, China. It has become a public health problem and comprehensive interference measures are urgently needed.