Abstract

Background: The relationship between dysregulation of cardiovascular autonomic functions and development of the hypertension has been well established in adults. Apart from the genes and environmental factors, obesity, sedentary lifestyle and dietary habits are the important contributors of increasing prevalence of hypertension even in youngsters. Studies on adults revealed that the vegetarian diet appears to be low in factors positively related to blood pressure when compared with non vegetarian diet.

Aims & Objective: This study was designed to find the impact of vegetarian and non – vegetarian diet on blood pressure regulation in early part of the life, like preadolescent boys.

Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 100 vegetarian and 87 Non-vegetarian pre-adolescent boys from Mangalore aged between 9-13 years. The parameters studied were BMI and Blood Pressure (Basal Supine, and hand dynamometer stress test).Values obtained were analyzed by paired and unpaired ‘t’ test and P value

Key words: Hypertension, Vegetarian, Non Vegetarian, Preadolescent, Handgrip dynamometer.