BLOOD PRESSURE AND BODY FAT DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS FROM MONTEVIDEO
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12957/demetra.2017.26201Keywords:
Blood Pressure, Children and Adolescents, Body Fat Distribution.Abstract
Introduction: Hypertension (AHT) at an early age is determinant for the negative evolution of cardiovascular diseases in adult life. Objective: To relate blood pressure levels to the body fat distribution patterns in a group of children and adolescents in Montevideo. Methodology: A sample was defined for convenience and consisted of 47 preschoolers, 44 school children and 41 adolescents. Weight, height, waist and arm circumference, and subcutaneous folds were measured, enabling the construction of indicators of body fat distribution, as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Correlations were studied using Pearson's linear correlation coefficient. For variables that could influence blood pressure, a linear regression model was performed. Results: Blood pressure was altered in 9.8% of the study population, with no significant gender or age differences. Excess of central fat was observed in 32.7% of the population studied and excess of peripheral fat was found in 18.2%, with no statistically significant gender differences. The waist circumference showed a moderate positive correlation with systolic pressure (R = 0.618), and a weak relationship with the arm fat area (R = 0.414). According to the linear regression model, for each centimeter of waist increment, systolic blood pressure is expected to increase 0.619 mmHg. Conclusions: The present study found a pattern of centripetal body fat distribution moderately related to BP and with no significant gender differences, therefore it is necessary to incorporate into everyday pediatric practice the measurement of waist circumference and the control of BP as predictors of metabolic risk.
DOI: 10.12957/demetra.2017.26201
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