A Study on Prevalence of Hypertension and Its Associated Risk Factors Among School Going Adolescents of Banda District

Context: Hypertension is increasingly recognized as a major health concern affecting adolescents, with its prevalence in India ranging from 1% to 24%. This condition, commonly linked to obesity, serves as a key risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, which remain the leading cause of deaths globally. Aims: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of hypertension and identify associated risk factors among school-going adolescents in Banda district, Uttar Pradesh. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study design was used, involving 384 adolescents aged 13–18 years from rural and urban schools. Methods and Material: Data collection included a semi-structured questionnaire, and statistical analysis explored the relationships between dietary habits, physical activity, sleep duration, and blood pressure categories. Statistical analysis used: The data collected were entered in a Micro-Soft Excel worksheet, and then data were transferred to Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software used to analyse the data. Results: The study revealed that 74.48% of participants had normal blood pressure, while 13.28% were prehypertensive and 12.24% hypertensive. Socioeconomic status showed a significant association with hypertension, while family type did not. Daily breakfast consumption and regular intake of green leafy vegetables were linked to lower hypertension rates, while frequent soft drink intake increased risk. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of modifiable lifestyle factors in managing adolescent hypertension, emphasizing dietary habits and physical activity as protective measures. Key Messages : Modifiable lifestyle factors, such as balanced nutrition and regular physical activity, play a crucial role in preventing adolescent hypertension.