Association Between Obesity and Blood Pressure Among Iranian Children and Adolescents: A Sub-analysis from the SHED LIGHT Study

Childhood obesity has become a major non-communicable disease worldwide. It is associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic factors, including diabetes and hypertension (HTN). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between obesity and HTN among Iranian children and adolescents. Cross-sectional data from the SHED LIGHT study performed in Tehran urban area were used in this report. The anthropometric values and blood pressure were analyzed. The obesity status was identified based on body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). The blood pressure status was defined using percentiles for height, age, and sex. A total of 14,641 children with a mean age of 12.28 ± 3.1 years (6–18) were assessed, and 52.8% of them were boys. The prevalence of HTN was higher among obese compared to healthy weight subjects ( p < 0.001). HTN had the strongest association with the central obesity by WC (odds ratio [OR] 4.098, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.549–4.732), generalized obesity by BMI (OR 3.000, 95% CI 2.749–3.274), and central obesity by WHtR (OR 2.683, 95% CI 2.451–2.936). Moreover, parental university education, having studied in private schools, and the smaller number of household children increased the risk of obesity. The rate of HTN was high among children and adolescents with generalized and central obesities. HTN, elevated blood pressure, boy gender, and socioeconomic status were associated with obesity, emphasizing on the importance of screening and implementing lifestyle changes to decrease future risk of cardiovascular diseases.