Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2017
Description
In this study, we examined the associations of general and central obesity and hypertension among Chinese children. Data was collected from 1626 children aged 7-16 years and their parents in four mega-cities across China. Mixed effect models examined associations of general and central obesity with hypertension, and between body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-To-height ratio (WHtR), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The prevalence of general obesity, central obesity, and hypertension among the children was 11.1%, 19.7%, and 9.0%, respectively. More boys had general and central obesity than girls (15.2% vs. 6.9%; 27.4% vs. 11.7%, respectively; both P < 0.0001). Sex difference in hypertension rate was not statistically significant (9.3% in boys vs. 8.8% in girls, P = 0.7341). Both SBP and DBP were positively associated with BMI, WC, and WHtR, regardless of sex and region. General obesity (OR = 5.94, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.69-9.55) and central obesity (OR = 3.45, 95% CI: 2.27-5.23) were strongly associated with hypertension. The prevalence of general obesity, central obesity, and hypertension was high among Chinese children in the four mega-cities across China. Children's BMI, WC, and WHtR were positively associated with their SBP and DBP. Obese children were 3-6 times more likely to have hypertension.
Creative Commons License
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Citation Information
Zhao, Yaling; Wang, Liang; Xue, Bo; and Wang, Youfa. 2017. Associations Between General and Central Obesity and Hypertension Among Children: The Childhood Obesity Study in China Mega-Cities. Scientific Reports. Vol.7(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-16819-y PMID: 29203818
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