What is the role of body mass index, waist circumference and waist to height ratio in predicting the risk of high blood pressure in children aged 3-18 years?

Aims: Obesity has increased among children in recent years, becoming one of the most serious health issues due to an increase in the risk of cardiovascular illnesses. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence of obese and hypertensive children aged 3-18 years and to determine the role of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist to height ratio (WHtR) in predicting the risk of high blood pressure (BP) and hypertension (HTN). Methods: The demographic characteristics, BMI, waist circumference, waist to height ratio, and BP percentiles were evaluated, and the relationship between high BP and BMI, WC and WHtR was investigated. Results: The study included 752 children aged 3-18 years, 73.9% of children aged 3 to 12 years old. Obese children were found at 8.4%, overweight at 13%, HTN at 9.6%, and high BP at 8%. The risky WHtR ratio (?0.5) for abdominal obesity was found to be 23.7%. Males had significantly higher rates of obesity, risky WHtR, and HTN (p<0.05). Being between 3 and 12 years of age, overweight, obese and risky WHtR were the most prevalent risk factors for high BP and HTN (p<0.05). Conclusion: Obesity and HTN rate was increased, particularly in males. Since risky WHtR and increased BMI have been determined to be the most important risk factors for high BP and HTN, it is critical to monitor BP more frequently, especially in the neglected 3-12 age group, in the presence of risky WHtR and higher BMI.