Waist circumference and body mass index demonstrated the strongest predictive performance for detecting hypertension in children aged 6-13 years (AUC >0.650 for both sexes).
Cross-Sectional (n=1,665)
Yes
Do anthropometric indices accurately predict hypertension in children aged 6-13 years?
Waist circumference and body mass index are the most accurate anthropometric indices for predicting hypertension in children aged 6-13 years and should be used in routine screening.
Effect estimate: AUC >0.650
ABTRACTObjective The increasing prevalence of childhood hypertension in South Africa and other low- and middle-income countries is a pressing public health issue. As urbanization progresses and lifestyle changes occur, children are exposed to heightened cardiometabolic risks. The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the predictive ability of multiple anthropometric indices in detecting hypertension among private school children aged 6 to 13 years. Methods A total of 1,665 learners (821 boys and 808 girls), aged 6 to 13 years, participated in a cross-sectional survey conducted across three private schools in Polokwane, Limpopo Province, South Africa. All anthropometric measurements were taken according to standard procedures of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry. The Mann–Whitney U test and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were performed using R software version 4.4.1. Results Hypertensive children were significantly older than their non-hypertensive peers (10.77 ± 1.89 vs 9.82 ± 2.12 years; p Conclusions Waist circumference and body mass index, which demonstrated the strongest overall predictive performance, should be incorporated into routine school-based and primary healthcare screening programmes as cost-effective tools for early identification of children at risk of hypertension.
M et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=1,665). Anthropometric indices (waist circumference, body mass index, etc.) was evaluated on Detection of hypertension (AUC >0.650). Waist circumference and body mass index demonstrated the strongest predictive performance for detecting hypertension in children aged 6-13 years (AUC >0.650 for both sexes).