Hypertension in obese and severely malnourished children in resource-limited countries: Preliminary results of a comparative cross-sectional study

Abstract

Backgroung

Hypertension is one of the world's leading causes of death, and few studies have shown the impact of its frequency on malnourished and overweight children.

Objective

the objective of this study is to describe the frequency of hypertension in obese and malnourished children comparing two areas, urban and rural in the country with limited resources, preliminary results of the cross-sectional study.

Method

In this study, we describe the preliminary results of the cross-sectional study we conducted, including obese, malnourished children from selected rural and urban health centers dealing with eating disorders and nutrition in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Results

The frequency of arterial hypertension in obese, malnourished children of normal constitution was 37.8% in two zones, rural and urban, and the most represented age was over 10 years.

Conclusion

Hypertension in children is still an under-diagnosed condition, yet its frequency remains high, and even obese and malnourished children are not excluded. If primary health care facilities were equipped with the appropriate measures, early diagnosis would be possible.