Original Paper

Prevalence of Hypertension and Association of Dietary Mineral Intake with Blood Pressure in Healthy Schoolchildren from Northern Greece Aged 7-15 Years
D. Papandreou^a, M. Stamou^a, P. Malindretos^b, I. Rousso^a, I. Mavromichalis<sup>a

a</sup>2nd Pediatric Department and
^b1st Medical Department, Renal Unit, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Medicine, AHEPA Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece

Address of Corresponding Author

Ann Nutr Metab 2007;51:471-476 (DOI: 10.1159/000111169)

  Key Words

• Blood pressure
• Dietary mineral intake
• Children
• Greece

  Abstract

Background and Aims: Pediatric hypertension is urgently increasing in Greece. The purpose of this study is to record the prevalence of hypertension in schoolchildren and to relate dietary minerals to blood pressure (BP). Methods and Results: 308 males and 298 females, aged 7-15 years, from 10 schools in Northern Greece participated in the study. BP and dietary minerals were measured in all children. Twenty-seven and 12.3% of boys and 21.2 and 15.1% of girls were diagnosed with prehypertension systolic BP and systolic hypertension, respectively. For diastolic BP, 19 and 13.3% of boys and 21.5 and 15.1% of girls were diagnosed with prehypertension diastolic BP and diastolic hypertension, respectively. Systolic BP was significantly positively associated with age (: 0.283, 95% CI: 1.440-2.484, p < 0.001), BMI (: 0.267, 95% CI: 0.830-1.489, p < 0.001) and potassium (: 0.139, 95% CI: 0.001-0.005, p < 0.001) and negatively related to Ca (: -0.160, 95% CI: -0.012 to 0.002, p = 0.007). Diastolic BP was positively related only to BMI (: 0.194, 95% CI: 0.380-0.968, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The current study tried to estimate the prevalence of hypertension among children in Northern Greece. Early prevention through nutrition education programs on BP that include diet and exercise modifications is urgently needed in order to avoid certain chronic risk factors in early life.

Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Dimitrios Papandreou
Tsimiski 54
GR-54623 Thessaloniki (Greece)
Tel. +30 231 023 0000, Fax +30 231 099 4803
E-Mail papandreoudimitrios@yahoo.gr

  Article Information

Received: April 19, 2007
Accepted: June 25, 2007
Published online: November 20, 2007
Number of Print Pages : 6
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 6, Number of References : 28