High blood pressure, overweight and obesity among rural scholars from the Vela Project: a population-based study from South America.

Background: Many studies have shown that high blood pressure and overweight begins in childhood. Consequently, it is useful to know blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) values from an early age. There are few data about blood pressure control in children and adolescents from rural populations in South America.

[Blood pressure control and arterial hypertension in children and adolescents from a rural population in Argentina: preliminary data from Vela Proyect].

Hypertension can start at an early age, however there are few data about blood pressure control in rural students in Argentina. Proyecto Vela is a survey about cardiovascular risk factors in the rural population of Maria Ignacia Vela, Argentina. We evaluated blood pressure levels, prevalence of arterial hypertension, sedentary lifestyle, overweight, and obesity in 331 children and adolescent students.