Abstract
Most epidemiologic studies have shown a relationship between high blood pressure and socioeconomic status in childhood. Systolic and diastolic pressure were measured in 296 schoolboys and 338 schoolgirls aged 10 to 13 years. The presence of known and suspected risk factors for hypertension was evaluated by a standardized questionnaire consisting of two sections: one completed by the subjects and another by their parents. Descriptive analysis showed a lack of association between socioeconomic background, parental educational levels and childhood hypertension, a relatively strong association between a sedentary style of life and hypertension (p<0.001) and a statistically significant influence of maternal or paternal history of hypertension or diabetes in the sample studied (p<0.05). However, when all the variables were assessed, by multiple correspondence analysis, two nuclei of schoolchildren were delimited. One was composed of hypertensive children with family histories of hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus who lead sedentary lives, live in large dwellings with a low crowding index and whose parents are better educated. The second nucleus was composed of normotensive subjects with opposite characteristics. The data obtained indicate that there may be a relationship between blood pressure in children and the socioeconomic status and educational level of their parents and suggest` that -these factors may have an impact on the child's blood pressure at a relatively young age.
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Coto, V., Lucariello, A., Cocozza, M. et al. Socioeconomic status and hypertension in children of two state schools in Naples, Italy: Preliminary findings. Eur J Epidemiol 3, 288–294 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00149738
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00149738