engleski

Alcohol drinking as a predictor of elevated blood pressure in Croatian youth

Background and aim: Unhealthy lifestyle including drinking of alcohol is recognized as a risk factor for elevated blood pressure (BP). The aim of this study was to analyze alcohol drinking as a risk factor of elevated BP. Subjects and Methods: For the purpose of this study we analyzed data of 948 eight graders in primary (48.8% girls) and 931 third graders in high school (41.5% girls). Data were obtained from questionnaire and anthropometric measurements and analyzed by descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regressions. Results: Elevated systolic and/or diastolic BP was present in 13% eight graders (13% girls vs. 12% boys) and in 15% third graders (15% boys vs. 13% girls). Third graders who drank alcohol separate from meal three to five times monthly were 1.73 times more likely (P=0.01) and those who drank six to nine times 1.69 more likely (P=0.042) to have elevated systolic BP than those who didn’t drink alcohol. Those who drank alcohol one to two times monthly were 1.51 times more likely (P=0.037) to have elevated systolic BP. Conclusion: Alcohol drinking was present as a significant predictor of elevated systolic BP in third graders in high school who drank alcohol separate from meal. The results imply that risk factors of elevated blood pressure, such as alcohol drinking, well recognized in adults could also be detected in adolescents. Preventive and intervention programs of mental and cardiovascular health should be provided in schools by school health service.

alcohol drinking; blood pressure; youth

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