INCIDENCE OF HYPERTENSION IN SCHOOLCHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: RELATIONSHIP WITH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, CARDIORESPIRATORY FITNESS AND OBESITY

Abstract

The present study examined the associations between changes over time in blood pressure (BP) with baseline and with varying levels of physical activity (PA), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and body mass index (BMI). Longitudinal study, consisting of 221 young people aged between 8-17 years. The PA was assessed by questionnaire. Height was measured with a stadiometer and body mass with an electronic scale, both at school grounds. Maturacional stage was assessed through self evaluation conduced by pictures. CRF was estimated by maximal multistage 20m shuttle-run test. BP was measured with an automatic sphygmomanometer. The major results suggest that overweight / obesity, male gender and the CRF dependent of BMI are risk factors for high blood pressure in school factors. Key Words: high blood pressure; body mass index; cardiorespiratory fitness; youth