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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/jcms.2454.7123.4118.2

Abstract

Background: Socio-economic status isknown to possess an inverse relationship with cardiovascular disease risk. Aims: We aimed to investigate the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in children and adolescents of Western India and examine its association with the socio-economic status of the population. Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional, observational study, 3543 children and adolescents of 4-18 years of age were enrolled. Blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI) and anthropometric parameters were recorded according to the standardized protocols. Details of socio-economic status (SES), physical activity and stress were obtained from a questionnaire for each individual. Based on the SES, study population was divided into– group I (low-middle SES) and group II (high SES). Results: Overall, the prevalence of prehypertension, hypertension, sedentary life style and type A personality was 14.6%, 33.9%, 58.2%, 53.7% respectively. Obesity was observed in 13.4% and 22.3% of the individuals were malnourished. Prevalence of hypertension (35.21 vs 28.53%), obesity (7.44% vs 2.1%), high waist circumference (WC-58.82±20.34 vs 53.78±15.74) andhigh mid-arm circumference (MAC-21.87±5.3 vs 20.11±5.77) weresignificantly higher in group II as compared to group Ipopulation. Conclusion: The study observation suggests deadly coexistence of hypertension, obesity, sedentary life style and stress in Gujarati Asian Indian children and adolescents. These risk factor prevalence was more in population from high socio-economic class.These observations would contribute in development of appropriate preventive public health policy to efficiently manage these health and social issues early in life.

Keywords : Gujarati Asian Indians; Children; Adolescent; Risk Factors; Socio- Economic Status, Cardiovascular Disease. 

Corresponding Author : Gajendra Dubey, Assistant Professor, Department of Cardiology, U.N. Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre, Civil Hospital Campus, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380016, India.