The Relationship Between Mid-Upper Arm Circumference and Blood Pressure of Private School Children Aged 6-13 Years, In Polokwane, Limpopo Province, South Africa - Abstract
Objectives: The prevalence of obesity and hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa are increasing to higher levels, even amongst children and adolescents.The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), as a measure of obesity, and elevated blood pressure (BP) among Polokwane private school children.
Study Design: A total of 1629 subjects (boys=821 and girls=808) aged 6-13 years attending three private schools in Polokwane participated in the survey. The receiver operating characteristics curve was used to discriminate children with high BP. Linear regression was used to assess the relationship between BP and MUAC.
Results: The prevalence rate recorded for hypertension was 12.9% for girls and 9.3% for boys, whereas overweight was recorded as 47.9% for girls and 26.7% for boys. Area under curve (AUC) for hypertension, high systolic blood pressure (SBP) and high diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in girls than boys. Linear regression showed a significant association for MUAC and BP (SBP, b=1.6, 95% CI 3.0-7.0; DBP, b=1.2, 95% CI 2.3-4.7) after adjusted for age and gender.
Conclusion: Polokwane private school girls showed higher prevalence of overweight and hypertension than boys. There was a significant relationship between MUAC and BP. Thus MUAC can be used as an inexpensive and easy risk marker for the presence of hypertension in children. An investigation into the physical activity level of these children will assist in uprooting the dynamics of cardiovascular diseases.