Prevalence of arterial hypertension in young military personnel and associated factors.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of arterial hypertension among young military personnel and associated factors.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study carried out with a sample of 380 male military personnel aged 19 to 35 years of a Brazilian Air Force unit in the city of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, in 2000 and 2001. The cut-off points for hypertension were: > or =140 mmHg for systolic pressure and > or = 90 mmHg for diastolic pressure. The studied variables included risk and protective factors for hypertension, such as behavioral and nutritional characteristics. For association analysis, generalized linear model multiple regression was used, with binomial family and logarithmic link, and prevalence ratios were obtained with 90% confidence interval and hierarchical selection of variables.


RESULTS
Prevalence of hypertension was 22% (90% CI: 21;29). In the final multiple regression model, it was found that the prevalence of hypertension was 68% higher among ex-smokers when compared to non-smokers (90% CI: 1.13; 2.50). Among subjects with overweight (body mass index - BMI of 25 to 29 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI> 29 kg/m2) the prevalences were, respectively, 75% (90% CI: 1.23;2.50) and 178% (90% CI: 1.82;4.25) higher than among subjects with normal weight. Among those that practiced physical activity regularly, compared to those who did not practice it, the prevalence was 52% lower (90% CI: 0.30;0.90).


CONCLUSIONS
Being an ex-smoker and overweight or obese were risk situations for hypertension, while the regular practice of physical activity was a protective factor in young military personnel.
Departamento de Merenda Escolar, Secretaria Municipal de Educação de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil. daniwenzel@sp.br
Daniela
D
Wenzel
José Maria Pacheco de
JM
Souza
Sônia Buongermino de
SB
Souza
D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult