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Summary of Pediatric Research, 95(3), 736–743. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-023-02837-2
Sally P. Waterworth et al.
Points
- The study monitored 1501 UK high-school students over four years, tracking changes in systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) from Grades 7 to 11.
- Both SBP and DBP consistently increased over the study period, with SBP rising from 114.6 ± 8.9 mmHg to 122.8 ± 7.8 mmHg and DBP increasing from 66.7 ± 6.6 mmHg to 70.0 ± 5.2 mmHg.
- Baseline waist circumference (WC) was a significant predictor of SBP, with changes in WC showing the strongest association with SBP growth over the four years.
- Physical activity (PA) levels at baseline and changes over time were linked to smaller increases in DBP, suggesting that increased PA can slow the rise in DBP during adolescence.
- The findings highlight the importance of PA and WC in predicting blood pressure trajectories and underscore the potential for PA interventions to reduce the risk of hypertension and future cardiovascular disease in adolescents.
Summary
The research evaluated the impact of physical activity (PA) and waist circumference (WC) on UK high-school students’ 4-year blood pressure trajectory. A longitudinal study involving 1501 adolescents from Grades 7, 9, and 11 was conducted as part of the EoEHHS to monitor changes in systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) over the study period.
The findings revealed a consistent increase in SBP and DBP over the 4-year duration. Specifically, SBP values rose from 114.6 ± 8.9 mmHg in Grade 7 to 122.8 ± 7.8 mmHg in Grade 11, while DBP values increased from 66.7 ± 6.6 mmHg to 70.0 ± 5.2 mmHg over the same period. Waist circumference at baseline was a significant predictor of SBP, with changes in WC showing the strongest association with SBP growth. Moreover, both baseline and changes in PA levels were linked to smaller increases in DBP over the 4-year monitoring period.
The study underscores the predictive value of baseline WC and PA levels in determining the trajectory of blood pressure changes in adolescents. Notably, increasing PA during adolescence was associated with a slower rise in DBP over time, highlighting the potential for PA interventions to mitigate hypertension risk. These findings emphasize the importance of considering PA and WC in designing preventive programs to address hypertension in adolescent populations, thereby reducing the likelihood of future hypertension and cardiovascular disease risks in adulthood.
Link to the article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41390-023-02837-2
References Waterworth, S. P., Kerr, C. J., McManus, C. J., Chung, H. C., Shaw, B. S., Shaw, I., & Sandercock, G. R. (2024). Four-year longitudinal associations of physical activity, waist circumference, and blood pressure in UK adolescents. Pediatric Research, 95(3), 736–743. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-023-02837-2
