A5697 School-level inequality of physical activity is associated with prevalence of overweight/obese, elevated blood pressure and high stress in 13-year olds

Current guidelines published by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology broadly recommend lifestyle approaches to prevent and treat elevated blood pressure and cholesterol. For patients with mildly or moderately elevated blood pressure and blood cholesterol, lifestyle-only approaches are the first line of therapy. The purpose of this scientific statement is to: (1) highlight the mild-moderate–risk patient groups indicated for lifestyle-only treatment for elevated blood pressure or cholesterol; (2) describe recommendations, average effects, and additional considerations when prescribing lifestyle treatment with physical activity; and (3) provide guidance and resources for clinicians to assess, prescribe, counsel, and refer to support increased physical activity in their patients. An estimated 21% and 28% to 37% of US adults, respectively, have mild-moderate–risk blood pressure and cholesterol and should receive lifestyle-only as first-line treatment. Of the recommended lifestyle changes, increasing physical activity has extensive benefits, including improving both blood pressure and blood cholesterol, that are comparable, superior, or complementary to other healthy lifestyle changes. Physical activity assessment and prescription are an excellent lifestyle behavior treatment option for all patients, including for the large population of mild-moderate–risk patients with elevated blood pressure and blood cholesterol.

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Physical Activity Is Associated With Arterial Stiffness In Post-myocardial Infarction Patients With Elevated Blood Pressure

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/01.mss.0000488047.03452.94 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 48 ◽

pp. 1013

Author(s):

Fernando Ribeiro ◽

Nórton L. Oliveira ◽

Alberto J. Alves ◽

Gustavo Silva ◽

Lilibeth Campos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Myocardial Infarction ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Arterial Stiffness ◽

Post Myocardial Infarction ◽

Elevated Blood Pressure ◽

Elevated Blood

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Reduced Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity and Increased Sedentary Behavior Are Associated With Elevated Blood Pressure Values in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Physical Therapy ◽

10.2522/ptj.20130499 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 94 (8) ◽

pp. 1144-1153 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Jennifer M. Ryan ◽

Owen Hensey ◽

Brenda McLoughlin ◽

Alan Lyons ◽

John Gormley

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Cerebral Palsy ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Habitual Physical Activity ◽

Elevated Blood Pressure ◽

Vigorous Activity ◽

Elevated Blood ◽

Children With Cerebral Palsy

Background Children with cerebral palsy (CP) participate in reduced levels of physical activity and spend increased time in sedentary behavior. The effect of reduced activity and increased sedentary behavior on their cardiometabolic health has not been investigated. Objectives The purposes of this study were: (1) to investigate the prevalence of overweight/obesity and elevated blood pressure (BP) among a cohort of ambulatory children with CP and (2) to investigate the associations among physical activity, sedentary behavior, overweight/obesity, and BP in children with CP. Study Design This was a cross-sectional study of 90 ambulatory children, aged 6 to 17 years, with CP. Methods Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-height ratio, and BP were measured on 1 occasion. Habitual physical activity was measured by accelerometry over 7 days. Results The prevalence of overweight/obesity in the cohort was 18.9%. Twenty-two percent of the children had BP values within the hypertensive or prehypertensive range. Systolic BP was positively associated with waist circumference (β=.324, P<.05) and BMI (β=.249, P<.05). Elevated BP values were associated with reduced time in moderate-to-vigorous activity, vigorous activity, and total activity, as well as increased time in sedentary behavior. The strongest association was observed between elevated BP and vigorous activity alone (odds ratio=0.61, 95% confidence interval=0.37–0.99, P<.05). Limitations A convenience sample was recruited for this study, and it is possible that this limitation resulted in selection bias. Conclusions Despite the relatively low prevalence of overweight/obesity, a relatively high proportion of children with CP had elevated BP values. Reducing sedentary behavior and increasing habitual physical activity, particularly vigorous activity, should be primary aims of rehabilitation in order to reduce cardiometabolic disease risk in this population.

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Overweight, Elevated Blood Pressure, Acanthosis Nigricans and Adherence to Recommended Dietary and Physical Activity Guidelines Among Hmong and White Middle School Students

Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health ◽

10.1007/s10903-012-9739-7 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 273-279

Author(s):

Julia Voorhees ◽

Keiko Goto ◽

Cindy Wolff

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Middle School ◽

Middle School Students ◽

Acanthosis Nigricans ◽

Elevated Blood Pressure ◽

Elevated Blood ◽

School Students ◽

Physical Activity Guidelines

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Fizička aktivnost kod dece i adolescenata sa povišenim i visokim krvnim pritiskom

10.46793/nnu21.593r ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Dragan Radovanović ◽

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Stress Reduction ◽

Elevated Blood Pressure ◽

Healthy Children ◽

Elevated Blood ◽

Measure Blood Pressure ◽

Normal Body Weight ◽

Special Approach

The value of blood pressure in children aged one to 12 years is based on the normative distribution of blood pressure in healthy children of normal body weight and is interpreted on the basis of gender, age, and height of the child. Normal values are considered to be lower than the 90th percentile, elevated blood pressure is considered to be valued between the 90th and 95th percentile, and high blood pressure or hypertension are considered to be all values above the 95th percentile. Due to the need for specialized cuffs of different sizes and the complexity of interpreting blood pressure values, it is necessary to measure blood pressure in children with standardized procedures in pediatric clinics. Children and adolescents with elevated blood pressure and hypertension should change their lifestyle, which includes: weight loss, regular physical activity, a special approach to diet, and stress reduction. The duration, frequency, and/or intensity of physical activity can be increased through increased spontaneous physical activity, organized physical exercise programs, or participation in sport. It is important to provide children and adolescents with elevated blood pressure and hypertension with equal opportunities and incentives to participate in physical activities that give them pleasure, offer diversity and that are appropriate for their age and abilities.

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