Hypertension among South African children

Hypertension

Hypertension among South African children in disadvantaged areas and associations with physical activity, fitness and cardiovascular risk markers. News from the DASH study

Childhood hypertension is a driver of hypertension in later life; hence, assessing elevated blood pressure in children is an important measure to determine current and future cardiovascular health. There is, however, a paucity of childhood blood pressure data, particularly for sub-Saharan Africa.

This study explores blood pressure and how it is associated with age, sex, socioeconomic status, physical activity, physical fitness, and cardiovascular risk. In the frame of the 'Disease, Activity and Schoolchildren's Health' (DASH) study, a cross-sectional analysis was conducted in disadvantaged neighbourhoods in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Assessments included blood pressure, accelerometer-measured physical activity, physical fitness, and cardiovascular risk markers. The study sample consisted of 785 children (383 boys, 402 girls, M=12.4 ±0.9 years). Overall, 18% of children were classified as hypertensive, while 20% were either overweight or obese, and almost four out of ten children did not meet global daily activity recommendations. Hypertensive children were more likely to be overweight/obese, χ²(2,785)=14.42 (p<0.01), but only if they did not meet physical activity recommendations, χ²(2,295)=11.93 (p<0.01).

With the moderating effect sufficient activity has on the relationship between hypertension and body weight, more emphasis should be placed on early primary health intervention and education strategies. The paper has been accepted and will be published in the Journal of Sports Sciences. The DASH study was financially supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa.

Reference:
Joubert, N., Walter, C., du Randt, R., Aerts, A., Adams, L., Degen, J., Gall, S., Müller, I., Nienaber, M., Nqweniso, S., des Rosiers, S., Seelig, H., Smith, D., Steinmann, P., Probst-Hensch N., Utzinger, J., Pühse, U. and Gerber, M. (2021). Hypertension among South African children in disadvantaged areas and associations with physical activity, fitness, and cardiovascular risk markers: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Sports Sciences. DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2021.1939964