Abstract: Objective To understand the prevalence of overweight, obesity and high blood pressure among primary and secondary school students in Henan Province and explore their correlation, so as to provide a scientific basis for preventing high blood pressure in children and adolescents. Methods A stratified cluster sampling method was adopted. Primary and secondary school students from 158 counties and districts in Henan Province were selected. Height, weight and blood pressure were measured using standard instruments. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were employed to analyze the correlation between overweight, obesity and blood pressure. Results In 2022, a total of 337 710 primary and secondary school students were surveyed in Henan Province. The detection rates of overweight, obesity and high blood pressure were 17.85% (60 269), 19.26% (65 059) and 23.87% (80 617) respectively. After controlling for age, gender and region variables, logistic regression revealed the risk of high blood pressure in the overweight group and obesity group was 1.378 times (OR=1.378) and 1.971 times (OR=1.971) higher than that in the non-overweight and obesity group, respectively (both P<0.05). When BMI was standardized to Z-scores, it was found that compared with the BMI-Z <1 group, the 1≤BMI-Z<2 group (OR=1.425) and BMI-Z≥2 group (OR=2.072) exhibited an increased risk of high blood pressure (both P<0.05). Conclusions Overweight and obesity might increase the risk of high blood pressure in primary and secondary school students. Scientific and effective measures should be taken to improve weight health and reduce the occurrence and development of high blood pressure.

Key words: Primary and secondary school students, High blood pressure, Overweight, Obesity, Regression analysis