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Elevated blood pressure in overweight and obese Irish children

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Abstract

Background

The Irish childhood obesity epidemic, one of the highest ranking internationally, represents a major threat to public health. We sought to perform a retrospective observational study of a clinic based cohort of obese Irish children.

Methods

Clinical data relating to gender, age, height, weight, body mass index and blood pressure were analysed, from 206 children referred to a paediatric endocrine referral centre over a 15-year period for assessment of obesity.

Results

Younger patients tended to have a higher standardised body mass index at initial presentation; 92% of boys and 96% of girls referred were obese (age-related BMI ≥ 95th percentile). Boys (51%) and girls (49%) had initial blood pressure measurements in the hypertensive range. There was a correlation between the degree of obesity and systolic blood pressure, particularly in boys.

Conclusions

Obese Irish children present with significant long-term health risks, including hypertension at baseline.

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Correspondence to F. M. Finucane.

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Finucane, F.M., Pittock, S., Fallon, M. et al. Elevated blood pressure in overweight and obese Irish children. Ir J Med Sci 177, 379–381 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-008-0228-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-008-0228-x

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