Hypertension, low BP rise among school kids

Nellore: According to a study, school going students are suffering with hypertension in the district. It was found phenomenal increase in hypertension cases among the students.

A few students of the Gandhi Medical College have conducted a study in the district during first quarter of the current academic year in some select schools and found that around 13 per cent of students were suffering from high blood pressure level which was not known to teachers and parents.

In fact, high blood pressure has been called a silent killer with no symptoms. So, the sick children fail to recognise the ailment and the teachers too blame their poor performance in academic activity, and thanks to the education system that provides no care for health of the students.

“Physical inactivity is a main cause of most chronic diseases. The body rapidly responds to insufficient physical activity, and if continued, results in decreases in both total and quality years of life.

So, physical activity primarily prevents, or delays, chronic diseases. The school managements have to consider the basic factor,” said Dr VRK Reddy, a retired physician.

More than 1.76 lakh students are studying in 1,000 private schools. Social activists allege that the majority private schools are mostly focusing on education without making children to participate in physical activity such as games, sports and gardening.

Even, government schools also are not having adequate focus on games and sports. At least, they were giving some scope for physical activity like working in the school for mid-day meal arrangements and some kind of indoor games, they said.

Pupils were facing both hypertension and low blood pressure, the study revealed. The normal blood pressure is 120/80 and it was found 100-105 in some students.

Low blood pressure was found between 60 and 80 against normal of 80 among students as per study. Children between 5 and 15 years are worst affected. Boys and girls equally face the ailment with around 6.5 per cent.

“We know the limitations of teachers and the lack of involvement of parents in academics. Teachers should prepare time table for school activity and allocate some time for physical exercises like outdoor games and sports for relieving them from stress.

But, physical activity is neglected in schools despite severe warnings,” said a Mandal Educational Officer from Gudur Division. He admitted that there was no check on body mass index for identifying diseases in preliminary stage.

Further, a study by researchers from the Department of Physiology, Narayana Medical College, also found that young children with a family history of hypertension have increased risk of developing hypertension in the district.