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Mental health, anthropometry and blood pressure among adolescents living in slums of Nashik, India
KHOPKAR, SUSHAMA A.; VIRTANEN, SUVI M. & KULATHINAL, SANGITA
Abstract
Background: Both hypertension and depression are common disorders and obesity is on the rise in low and
middle-income countries. Because early life changes may prove to be a precursor to the development of diseases
in adult, assessing the mental and physical health of younger population is crucial. This study aimed to determine
the association between blood pressure, mental health and anthropometric status of adolescents from urban
slums in Nashik, India.
Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among eligible adolescents during November 2010
and April 2011 in two randomly selected slums of Nashik, Maharashtra, India. A total of 545 adolescents were
selected from 276 households. Data on socio-demographic indicators, anthropometry, blood pressure, mental
wellbeing, and addictions were collected using pretested structured questionnaires by house visits. Mental
wellbeing was examined using the General Health Questionnaire with 12 items (GHQ-12). A higher score indicates
more-optimal mental wellbeing. Linear mixed effects models were used to analyse the data.
Results: Girls had better mental wellbeing scores than boys. Adolescents with low mental wellbeing score had
higher percentage of stunting (22%) compared to high scores. The factors associated significantly with systolic
blood pressure (SBP) were age, mid mental wellbeing score, stunting, and thinness. For diastolic blood pressure
(DBP), sex, high mental wellbeing score, and father\'s education were, in addition, also significant. When moving
from the low to mid mental wellbeing score, SBP and DBP decreased and the same was observed for high score.
The prevalence of prehypertension was 20%.
Conclusion: The findings showed that the adolescents do run a higher risk of substance abuse, health-related
problems and higher SBP and DBP if there is an evidence of distress. It brings into focus the importance of mental
health management in adolescents.
Keywords
adolescents; blood pressure; mental wellbeing; nutritional status; slums; India
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