Incidence of obesity, overweight and hypertension in children and adolescents in Ahvaz southwest of IRAN: Five-years study.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of obesity, overweight and hypertension in children and adolescents aged 10-15 in Ahvaz. METHODS: This is a epidemiologic study performed on 176 people aged 10-15 in Ahvaz. In 2009, 300 people underwent weight, height and blood pressure measurements. Five years later, the same people were reassessed for obesity, overweight and hypertension, of whom a total of 176 people agreed to repeat the procedure. RESULTS: The study included 100 (57%) males and 76 (43%) females. Mean BMI was 22.1 ±â€¯4.3 kg / m2 in year 2014, without any significant difference between the two sexes (P = 0.518). In the same year, the prevalence of obesity and overweight was 26 (14.8%) and 13 (7.4%), respectively. After 5years, BMI increased significantly (P < 0.001). Of the 150 norma participants with normal BMI in 2009, 15 (10%) and 6 (4%) became overweight and obese in 2014 respectively. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures increased significantly over 5 years P = 0.042 and P < 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows an increase in mean BMI and mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures after 5 years among people aged 10-15 in Ahvaz.