The Indonesian Journal of Public Health
Vol. 21 No. 2 (2026): THE INDONESIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH : IN PRESS

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OBESITY AND HYPERTENSION IN CHILDREN: ANALYSIS BY GENDER AND AGE

Ayik Mirayanti Mandagi (Department of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitas Airlangga, Banyuwangi, East Java, 68416, Indonesia)
Farapti Farapti (Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, East Java, 60115, Indonesia)
Muji Sulistyowati (Departement of Health Promotion and Behavior Science, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, East Java, 60115, Indonesia)
Selviani Setyaning Dwiyanti (Bachelor of Public Health, School of Health and Life Sciences, Universitas Airlangga, Banyuwangi, East Java, 68416, Indonesia)
Zolla Gracia Amardiani (Public Health Science Study Program, School of Health and Life Sciences, Universitas Airlangga, Banyuwangi, East Java, 68416, Indonesia)
Ahmad Rido'i Yuda Prayogi (Department Environmental Health and Safety, Wilmar International, 28 Biopolis Road Singapore)



Article Info

Publish Date
03 Aug 2026

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is one of the world's most serious health problems. Children are prone to obesity. The current childhood obesity epidemic has been consistently recognized in the scientific literature as a significant predictor of hypertension. Children who are overweight and have hypertension face increased health risks as they grow into adults. In 2019, hypertension in children in Indonesia was 25.9% among senior high children, 29.1% among junior high children, and 40% among elementary children. The obesity rate in children reached 18.8%. Aim: This study aimed to assess gender- and age-related differences in the association between childhood obesity and hypertension. Method: The design of this study was observational and cross-sectional. This study conducted during September until December 2020 in Surabaya City, Rungkut District. This study included 101 respondents aged 9 to 15 years, divided into two age groups: primary school age (9–12 years) and junior high school age (>12–15 years). The Chi-Square statistical test was used to investigate the relationship between childhood obesity and the occurrence of hypertension. Results: Based on the study findings, 11.88% of respondents were obese, and 36.63% had hypertension. Obese children were 3.29 times more likely than normal-weight children to develop hypertension (95% CI: 1.31-8.27, p=0.01). Obesity and hypertension incidence were shown to be significant in female children (OR 4.35, 95% CI: 1.39-13.61, p=0.009) and primary school-aged children (OR 3,5, 95% CI: 1.1-11.13, p=0.03). Conclusion: As a result, knowing the risk factors for hypertension and obesity must be identified in order to prevent them as early as possible.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

IJPH

Publisher

Subject

Public Health

Description

The Indonesian Journal of Public Health published since 2004, is a scientific journal article presents the results of research and review of the literature on the development of science that includes the study of Public Health Epidemiology, Administration & Policy Health, Health Promotion and ...