Abstract

ALVAREZ GOMEZ, José Luís; TERRERO, Eumelia Ondina; DIAZ NOVAS, José  and  FERRER ARROCHA, Marlene. Corporal excess weight related to high blood pressure in adolescent students of secondary school. Rev Cubana Med Gen Integr [online]. 2010, vol.26, n.1, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1561-3038.

Introduction: the excess weight and high blood pressure are risk atherosclerosclerosis factor whose prevalences increase at global level in earlier ages. Objectives: to contribute to clearing up of relation between the excessive body weight (excess weight and obesity) and the high blood pressure in adolescents. Methods: an observational study was conducted in 344 young people aged between 12 and 16 studying in "Benito Juárez" Secondary School from health area of "Antonio Guiteras" Polyclinic in Habana Vieja municipality between January, 2005 and January, 2006. In all students we made anthropometric measurements of body weight, height and waist circumference. The association between excess weight and the figures of high blood pressure was determined by Chi² test with a value of p < 0,05. Results: there was a 14% excess weight and a 4% of obesity. High blood pressure (systolic and/or diastolic) was present in the 4.7% of young people and the pre-high blood pressure in the 18.6% increasing with age in both sexes. There was a significant association between excess weight and presence of pre-high blood and high blood pressure with a value of Chi²= 50.43; x² < 0,01. Conclusions: relation between excess weight and high blood pressure seen in adolescents tool into account to apply prevention and control measures and to avoid the terrible consequences present in future ages.

Keywords : Excess weight; high blood pressure; signal of early atherosclerosis.