The prevalence of elevated blood pressure among obese adolescents in a pediatric resident continuity clinic.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to examine the association of obesity and elevated blood pressure among adolescent patients in a pediatric resident continuity clinic.


METHODS
Blood pressure and anthropometric data from adolescent patients (ages 12-18 years) in a resident continuity clinic were analyzed. Age-and gender-specific BMI percentiles, and age-, gender-, and height-specific BP percentiles were determined. Based on BMI percentile, patients were categorized as underweight (BMI < 5th percentile), healthy (5th-84th percentile), overweight (85th-94th percentile), or obese (> or = 95th percentile). BP was classified as normal (< 90th percentile), pre-hypertensive (90th-94th percentile or > 120/80 mm Hg), or hypertensive (> or = 95th percentile).


RESULTS
Data from 317 consecutive visits were available for analysis. Eighteen percent were classified as overweight, and 29.1% were obese. There were no gender differences in BMI category. Almost 15% of BPs were classified as hypertensive, with another 23% pre-hypertensive. Males were more likely to be pre-hypertensive or hypertensive than females. Among obese patients, more than half had elevated BP: 31.5% were pre-hypertensive and 26.1% were hypertensive.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of obesity in this cohort was higher than estimates based on national data. Further, the prevalence of elevated blood pressure increased with increasing BMI. This study underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing obesity and elevated blood pressure in an at-risk population. The potential public health impact of the early onset of obesity and elevated blood pressure, particularly with regard to cardiovascular disease burden, highlights the need to prepare residents to identify and manage these conditions.
Center for Health Outcomes and Improvement Research, University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine, 4502 E. 41st Street,Tulsa, OK 74135, USA. Mark-Fox@ouhsc.edu
Mark D
MD
Fox
Anees
A
Afroze
I John
IJ
Studebaker
Tao
T
Wei
Chan M
CM
Hellman
D000293:Adolescent; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009825:Oklahoma / Q000453:epidemiology; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology; D010372:Pediatrics; D015995:Prevalence; D011634:Public Health; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology