Potential Predictors of Hypertension Among Children in Fort Worth, Texas: A Cross-Sectional Epidemiologic Study

Egbuchunam, Christie U., Potential Predictors of Hypertension Among Children in Fort Worth, Texas; A Cross-Sectional Epidemiologic Study. Master of Public Health (Epidemiology), May, 2002, 110 pp., 15 tables, 2 illustrations, bibliography, 84 titles. Most studies have identified obesity, gender and age as major factors that influence blood pressure increase in children. The objective of this study was to assess factors that may either directly influence hypertension in children, or interact with obesity, age and gender. A cross-sectional study was carried out to identify and assess the crude and multiple logistic regression adjusted associations between selected variables and hypertension. Obesity and Acanthosis Nigricans (AN) were importantly associated with hypertension. Reduced playing time, and excessive television watching or playing of video games were also associated with hypertension; especially among those who were obese or had AN. Hispanic and African American children had higher likelihood of hypertension than Caucasian children.