Association between blood pressure and waist-to-height ratio in schoolchildren aged 6 to 8 years in the Valparaíso Region, Chile.

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a serious obesity-related disease that affects the paediatric population. Objective: To examine the positive association between systolic and diastolic blood pressure and waist-to-height ratio in schoolchildren Methods: Cross-sectional study. Convenience sample of 300 schoolchildren aged 6 to 8 years from Valparaíso. Blood pressure, waist circumference and height were evaluated. Data were collected in non-consecutive years (2015, 2018, 2019, 2022) due to logistical constraints. Blood pressure was assessed according to the criteria of the American Academy of Pediatrics (2017). Statistical analysis: Results were expressed as mean, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for quantitative variables and qualitative variables were expressed in absolute (n) and relative (%) frequencies. Normality was verified with the Shapiro Wilk test (p > 0.05). Associations were made between altered blood pressure and anthropometric variables (BMI, waist circumference, nutritional status) using the Proportion test and Chi Square test. Three different models were developed to determine the association between altered BP with WHR, WC and NS, adjusting for age in all models.

Results: A significant positive association was found between systolic blood pressure and waist-to-height ratio (p = 0.0073).

Conclusion: Higher WHR is associated with increased blood pressure, highlighting its potential as a screening tool for metabolic risk.