Anthropometric Characteristics and Blood Pressure Among Children and Adolescents in Ibadan, South-Western Nigeria

Abstract

Alayande A A*, Olawuni D A, Onuoha P O, Adesina D H, Samuel A J and Williams J E

Background: Childhood hypertension is an emerging global public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Children and adolescents with elevated blood pressure are more likely to develop hypertension later in life. Identifying anthropometric indicators associated with elevated blood pressure in young populations is important for the early detection of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the anthropometric correlates of elevated blood pressure among children and adolescents in Ibadan, South-West Nigeria.

Methods: A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study design of 335 children and adolescents aged 8-14 years, recruited using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data collected from the respondents were processed and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS Version 27.0) and R Studio. Descriptive statistics, including mean, standard deviation, frequencies, and percentages, were used to report the findings. Chi-square tests, independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and regression analysis were used to test the association and relationships between variables. The significance level was set at < 0.05, with a 95% CI.

Results: The majority were between age 10–14 years (72.2%) with females predominating (63.0%). Most participants had normal BMI-for-age (72.8%), while 12.8% were thin, 8.7% overweight, and 5.7% obese. Central obesity based on waist circumference was observed in 2.7% of participants. Elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were observed in 29.9% and 36.4% of respondents, respectively. Mean anthropometric indices, including BMI-for-age, waist circumference, waist–hip ratio, and mid-upper arm circumference, did not differ significantly between participants with normal and elevated blood pressure (p > 0.05). Bivariate analysis showed significant associations between age group and sex with elevated DBP (p < 0.05), but these associations were not significant after adjustment. Linear regression and multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that none of the anthropometric or socio-demographic variables were significant predictors of elevated SBP or DBP.

Conclusion: Anthropometric indices were not significantly associated with systolic or diastolic blood pressure in this population. However, maintaining a healthy anthropometric status and implementing early blood pressure screening remain important for promoting long-term cardiovascular health among children and adolescents.

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