title: Hypertension and correlates among Montenegrin schoolchildren-a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In one of the few national studies of children in a former Eastern bloc country emerging as a Western democracy and the first such study ever in Montenegro, this study establishes the prevalence and correlates of childhood hypertension (CH).
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional national study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted with 3254 children aged 7-13 years (50.3% male) from 39 elementary schools. We used a structured questionnaire to gather sociodemographic information as well as data on factors potentially related to CH. Children's nutritional status was assessed using the criteria of the International Obesity Task Force. Waist circumference was also measured. Blood pressure was measured in schools using an oscillometric monitor. CH was defined as an average systolic blood pressure and/or diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to the 95th percentile for sex, age, and height.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of CH was 10.4% with no differences between boys and girls. Multiple regression revealed that the odds for child hypertension were lowered by 10% for each year of age. On the other hand, rural environment and child obesity raised the odds of hypertension by 38% and 68%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found hypertension in one out of ten Montenegrin schoolchildren, with no gender differences. Obesity and rural areas may be unfriendly to children's blood pressure.
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, Department for Pathophysiology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro. Electronic address: milicam@ac.me.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martinovic
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Hygiene and Medical Ecology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia. Electronic address: goran.belojevic@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Belojevic
authors.affiliation: Department of Design and Environmental Analysis, Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA; Department of Human Development, Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA. Electronic address: gwe1@cornell.edu.
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.affiliation: Public Health Center, Podgorica, Montenegro. Electronic address: nenok@t-com.me.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kavaric
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, Neurosurgery Clinic, University of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro. Electronic address: basanin@ac.me.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Asanin
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, Department of Biochemistry, University of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro. Electronic address: snezap@ac.me.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pantovic
authors.affiliation: Clinical Centre of Montenegro, Centre for Laboratory Diagnostics, Podgorica, Montenegro. Electronic address: marinajaksic@ymail.com.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jaksic
authors.affiliation: Clinical Centre of Montenegro, Centre for Laboratory Diagnostics, Podgorica, Montenegro. Electronic address: jellenabpg@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boljevic
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D054548:Montenegro / Q000453:epidemiology; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Blood pressure; Child; Hypertension; Risk factors