Abstract: PUB432
Body Mass Index and Hypertension Risk among a Coptic Adolescent Population
Session Information
Category: Hypertension and CVD
- 1602 Hypertension and CVD: Clinical
Authors
- Boktor, Ivana, George Walton Comprehensive High School, Marietta, Georgia, United States
- Ali, Ahmed E., Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
- Almehmi, Ammar, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Background
Elevated Body Mass Index (BMI) is a significant risk factor for developing hypertension (HTN). Other factors, including family history, smoking, and energy drink consumption, can potentially increase risk for HTN. Limited data are available on the risk factors for HTN in Coptic adolescent population. This study sought to investigate association between these risk factors and HTN in Coptic adolescents.
Methods
A screening survey was conducted on 140 high school students who attended church services. After signing a consent form, each participant was interviewed and asked to answer the survey questions. The blood pressure was measured twice after 15 minutes of rest using Omron device. Both weight and height were measured, and BMI was calculated using CDC BMI calculator. Descriptive statistics, univariate, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to explore the relationship between the HTN and other potential variables.
Results
The cohort included 70 females (50%) and 70 males (50%) aged 16-21 years old. The overall prevalence of HTN was 45.7% (73% in males and 18.6% in females). Participants were categorized by BMI into normal (n=78), overweight (n=44), and obese (n=18) groups. Compared to normal weight group, the odds ratio (OR) for HTN in overweight and obesity groups was 7.2 (95% C.I. 3.1 – 16.6, p<0.001) and 1.9 (95% C.I. 0.67 – 5.5, p=0.27), respectively. After adjustment for potential confounders such as age, sex, family history of HTN, and consumption of energy drinks, the adjusted ORs were 4.9 (p=0.001) and 1.1 (p=0.9) in overweight and obesity groups, respectively. Among total cohort, hypertensive individuals exhibited significantly higher BMI compared to normotensive individuals (26.3 [23.5, 28.3] vs. 22.5 [20.6, 25.7], p=0.001). However, there was no association between HTN and other covariates (p>0.05). In multivariable logistic regression, the association between HTN and elevated BMI remains significant (adjusted OR 3.7, 95% C.I. 1.5 – 8.7; p=0.003).
Conclusion
Our findings are consistent with accumulative evidence about positive relationship between BMI and HTN, which is a part of the metabolic syndrome. Moreover, this is the first study to investigate risk factor profile for HTN in Coptic adolescents. Larger scale epidemiologic studies are needed to assess prevalence of HTN in this population and the best approach to manage these modifiable risk factors.