The relationship between body composition and blood pressure among primary school children in Eastern Cape province, South Africa

Abstract

BackgroundIn South Africa, especially in the Eastern Cape province, despite reported high prevalence of underweight and obesity, little is known regarding the relationship of body composition (BC) with blood pressure (BP) in primary school children. Understanding the relationship between BC and BP in these children is important because it is associated with adverse effects on health and social repercussion in both adolescence and adulthood.AimThe aim of this study was to examine the relationship between BC and BP among South African primary school children.SettingThis study was conducted on a cohort of primary school learners in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.MethodsA school-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 876 school children aged 9–14 years, using multistage sampling techniques. Body mass and stature were measured using a calibrated scale. Anthropometric measurements including weight, height, waist circumference, triceps, gluteal and subscapular were also collected. Body mass index, percentage body fat and waist-to-hip ratio were calculated.ResultsOf the 876 participants, 356 (40.6%) were boys and 520 (59.0%) were girls. The Spearman’s rho correlation coefficients revealed positive significant correlations between systolic BP with age (r = 0.171; p < 0.0001), stature (r = 0.205; p < 0.0001), weight (r = 0.277; p < 0.0001), body mass index (r = 0.243; p < 0.0001), waist circumference (r = 0.259; p < 0.0001), gluteal (r = 0.214; p < 0.0001), triceps (r = 0.203; p < 0.0001), subscapular (r = 0.167; p < 0.0001), body fat percentage (r = 0.206; p < 0.0001), fat mass (r = 0.257; p < 0.0001) and fat-free mass (r = 0.238; p < 0.0001). There was no statistically significant correlation between waist-to-hip ratio and systolic BP (r = 0.064; p = 0.059). In terms of diastolic BP, there existed no significant correlations with age (r = 0.026; p = 0.443) and waist-to-hip ratio (r = 0.002; p = 0.947). Collectively, the prevalence of hypertension was 76.4% in the normal group compared with those who were pre-hypertensive (18.4%) and hypertensive (5.3%). Girls showed a higher prevalence of pre-hypertension than boys (19.6% compared with 16.6%, respectively).ConclusionThere is a relationship between most of the BC variables and BP in children. The screening of BP as part of physical examinations of school children is necessary for early prevention and intervention programmes for hypertension.

An Assessment of the Relationship between Anthropometric Parameters and Blood Pressure among Polokwane Private School Children

“…A study by Mushengezi and Chillo [18] found similar results, but also including significant correlation with fat mass. Another study by Gomwe et al [2] also showed numerous anthropometric variables that were significantly correlated with SBP in children, including stature, weight, BMI, WC, triceps, subscapular, gluteal skinfold thicknesses and percentage body fat, excluding WHR. A study by Gaskin et al [19] reported that there was an association between constantly increased blood pressure and increased body size and gender-specific body composition characteristics among adolescents.…”

“…Using an electronic Micronta monitoring kit, at least three readings of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic pressure (DBP) were taken at an interval of five minutes apart after the participants had been seated for 5 minutes or longer [17], the average from the three BP readings were calculated. Blood pressure measurements were categorised according to SBP and/or DBP percentiles as follows: normal BP-average SBP and/or average DBP <90th percentile; prehypertension-average SBP and/or average DBP ≥90th percentile but <95th percentile; and hypertension-average SBP and/or average DBP ≥95th percentile [2].…”

“…High blood pressure (HBP) among children and adolescents has been associated with elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases later in life [1]. It has also been reported to cause the early development of pathological lacerations of atherosclerosis [2]. Increase in weight is related to increments in HBP, which could also lead to atherosclerotic disease later in life [3,4].…”

“…Anthropometric measurements including BMI, waist circumference (WC), and skinfold thickness, are a noninvasive and affordable technique to evaluate children's nutritional status and have been recommended for wide use in clinical practice [2]. There are some uncertainties with regard to the determinants of blood pressure in childhood.…”

“…Numerous studies have reported the prevalence of HBP among children in developed areas in and out of South Africa [2,13] which ranged from 4.8% to 5.3% in children as little as 9 years old in South Africa. Furthermore, no studies have reported about the relationship between blood pressure and body composition in Limpopo Province to the best of my knowledge.…”