Cardiorespiratory fitness and risk factors for high blood pressure among adolescents

• Published in: Scientia medica Vol. 24; no. 4
• Main Authors: Avelino de Souza, Evanice, Trompieri Filho, Nicolino, Holanda Pereira, Cleilton, Aparecida Devidé Nogueira, Júlia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: Adolescence; Blood Pressure; Body Mass Index; Physical Fitness; Risk Factors
• ISSN: 1980-6108; 1980-6108

AIMS: To analyze possible associations of blood pressure level with cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index in adolescents of low socioeconomic status.
METHODS: The study included adolescents aged 14 to 17 years at a public school in Fortaleza, Ceará, which serves a population of low income and high social risk. Weight, height, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured, and cardiorespiratory fitness was estimated by the running test. The statistical analysis included percentages, mean, standard deviation, Student t test, chi-square and binary logistic regression, adopting p<0,05 as significant. SPSS 17.0 package was used for analysis.
RESULTS: The study included 308 adolescents, being 177 boys. It was found that 12.3% of adolescents were overweight; 75.3% had low cardiorespiratory fitness; and 51% had high blood pressure. Adolescents whose body mass index was above the health criteria had higher risk of increased levels of systolic blood pressure (odds ratio 3.02; 95% confidence interval 2.94-6.13; p<0.01) and diastolic (odds ratio 3.41; 95% confidence interval 1.55-7.49; p=0.02). Cardiorespiratory fitness had no statistically significant association with blood pressure and body mass index.
CONCLUSIONS: In adolescents of low socioeconomic status, high body mass index were associated with increased blood pressure. Excess weight, low cardiorespiratory fitness and blood pressure above normal were prevalent in this population.