Association between Blood Pressure and Birth Weight among Rural South African Children: Ellisras Longitudinal Study

Kotsedi Monyeki, Han Kemper, Alfred Mogale, Leon Hay, Machoene Sekgala, Tshephang Mashiane, Suzan Monyeki and Betty Sebati
Additional contact information
Kotsedi Monyeki: Department of Physiology and Environmental Health, University of Limpopo, Polokwane 0727, South Africa
Han Kemper: VU University Medical Center, Institute for Health and Care Research, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Alfred Mogale: Department of Biochemistry, Sefako Makgatho Health Science University, Pretoria 0204, South Africa
Leon Hay: Human Physiology Department, Sefako Makgatho Health Science University, Pretoria 0204, South Africa
Machoene Sekgala: Department of Physiology and Environmental Health, University of Limpopo, Polokwane 0727, South Africa
Tshephang Mashiane: Department of Physiology and Environmental Health, University of Limpopo, Polokwane 0727, South Africa
Suzan Monyeki: Department of Physiology and Environmental Health, University of Limpopo, Polokwane 0727, South Africa
Betty Sebati: Department of Physiology and Environmental Health, University of Limpopo, Polokwane 0727, South Africa

IJERPH, 2017, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-9

Abstract: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between birth weight, underweight, and blood pressure (BP) among Ellisras rural children aged between 5 and 15 years. Data were collected from 528 respondents who participated in the Ellisras Longitudinal Study (ELS) and had their birth weight recorded on their health clinic card. Standard procedure was used to measure the anthropometric measurements and BP. Linear regression was used to assess BP, underweight variables, and birth weight. Logistic regression was used to assess the association of hypertension risks, low birth weight, and underweight. The association between birth weight and BP was not statistically significant. There was a significant ( p < 0.05) association between mean BP and the sum of four skinfolds (? = 0.26, 95% CI 0.15–0.23) even after adjusting for age (? = 0.18, 95% CI 0.01–0.22). Hypertension was significantly associated with weight for age z-scores (OR = 5.13, 95% CI 1.89–13.92) even after adjusting for age and sex (OR = 5.26, 95% CI 1.93–14.34). BP was significantly associated with the sum of four skinfolds, but not birth weight. Hypertension was significantly associated with underweight. Longitudinal studies should confirm whether the changes in body weight we found can influence the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Keywords: birth weight; underweight; mid upper arm circumference; blood pressure; rural South African children (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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