Obesity and high blood pressure among Lithuanian adolescents

Introduction: Epidemiological studies have showed that reduced consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and adequate consumption of dairy products, fish, vegetables, fruits, and a restricted intake of salt (sodium chloride) can reduce the risk of metabolic disorders and cardiovascular diseases. Also, higher levels of physical activity decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The promotion of healthy lifestyle factors for preventing and controlling overweight, obesity, abdominal obesity, and HBP is highly significant. High blood pressure (HBP) is a growing public health problem worldwide. HBP increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is the leading cause of disability and death worldwide. Obesity and abdominal obesity is also related to metabolic disorders and CVD. There is a lack of epidemiological studies in Lithuania investigating the associations between modifiable risk factors and HBP in children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between overweight, obesity, abdominal obesity and HBP among Lithuanian adolescents aged 12–15 years. Methods: The subjects with HBP (≥90th percentile) were screened on two separate occasions. Data on the body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and BP were analysed in 7457 adolescents aged 12–15 years. Overweight and obesity was obtained according to IOTF cut-off points. BP levels were defined according to “The Fourth Report on the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of HBP in Children and Adolescents”. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for the associations were estimated using multivariate logistic regression models. Results: After two screenings, the prevalence of HBP was 35%. The overall prevalence of overweight, obesity, and abdominal obesity (if WC was in the ≥75th percentile) were 12.1%, 2.4%, and 9%, respectively. Girls were more often normotensive than boys (73.1% and 55.9%). Participants aged 14–15 years were significantly more likely to have HBP tLietuvos sveikatos mokslų universitetasVytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij