Blood pressure and adiposity in children and adolescents

Although obesity is associated with important hemodynamic disturbances, there are few data on population-wide blood pressure (BP) distribution in children and adolescents in this era of endemic pediatric obesity. We conducted a school-based survey of a representative sample of youth aged 9, 13, and 16 years in Quebec, Canada. Resting BP was measured with an oscillometric device in 3589 subjects (80% response). Additional measures included height, weight, and subscapular and triceps skinfold thickness, an age-appropriate questionnaire, and a fasting blood draw. Mean (SD) systolic/diastolic BP (SBP/DBP) levels in 9-, 13-, and 16-year-olds were 103 (9)/57 (6), 113 (12)/58 (7), and 124 (14)/61 (7) mm Hg in males and 103 (10)/57 (6), 111 (11)/60 (7), and 114 (11)/62 (7) mm Hg in females. The prevalence of high-normal or elevated SBP was 12%, 22%, and 30% among 9-, 13-, and 16-year-old males, respectively, and 14%, 19%, and 17% among same-aged females. The prevalence of high-normal or elevated DBP was