Association of different triacylglycerol-waist circumference phenotype and initially diagnosed hypertension in primary and secondary school students

Abstract

Background:
Childhood hypertension is an emerging public health concern, and identifying metabolic phenotypes associated with elevated blood pressure is crucial for early prevention. The combined phenotype of elevated triacylglycerol (TG) and increased waist circumference (WC) has been linked to cardiovascular risk in adults, but evidence in children and adolescents remains limited.
Objective:
To investigate the association between different TG-WC phenotypes and newly diagnosed hypertension among primary and secondary school students.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among [number] students aged [range] years from [location], who underwent anthropometric measurements, blood pressure assessment, and fasting lipid profile. Students were categorized into four TG-WC phenotypes:
(1) normal TG & normal WC,
(2) elevated TG & normal WC,
(3) normal TG & elevated WC, and
(4) elevated TG & elevated WC.
Hypertension was defined according to [guideline, e.g., the 2017 AAP guidelines for pediatric hypertension]. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for hypertension across phenotypes, adjusting for potential confounders.
Results:
The prevalence of hypertension was significantly higher in students with the elevated TG & elevated WC phenotype compared to those with normal TG & normal WC. After adjustment, the OR for hypertension in the elevated TG & elevated WC group was [X.X, 95% CI: X.X–X.X, p < 0.05]. The elevated TG or elevated WC alone were also associated with increased risk but to a lesser extent.
Conclusion:
The combined phenotype of elevated TG and increased WC is strongly associated with newly diagnosed hypertension in children and adolescents. Screening for TG-WC phenotypes may help identify high-risk youth for early intervention.
Keywords: triacylglycerol, waist circumference, hypertension, children, adolescents, metabolic phenotype.