Physical activity and blood pressure patterns: A cross-sectional study on Portuguese school children aged 8 through 13 years old

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2002

Authors

guerra, s (Author) Other; ribeiro, j (Author) FADEUP; duarte, j (Author) FADEUP; mota, j (Author) FADEUP

Journal

Title: Children's Health Care

Vol. 31

Pages: 119-130

ISSN: 0273-9615

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 3 Citations

Scopus - 2 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Health sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-Q31

DOI: 10.1207/s15326888chc3102_3

Abstract (EN): The relation between blood pressure and physical activity was examined. A sample of 474 children (242 boys and 232 girls), aged 8 through 13 years were involved in this study. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were evaluated. An adapted version of the Weekly Activity Checklist was applied to the sample for diagnosis of their physical activity. SBP and DBP increased from 8 to 13 years in both sexes (boys: SBP, 114.8 +/- 10.9 to 120.5 +/- 9.4 mmHg and DBP, 59.1 +/- 8.3 to 62.3 +/- 6.8 mmHg; girls: SBP, 115.2 +/- 12.1 to 120.2 +/- 10.9 mmHg, and DBP, 58.9 +/- 9.3 to 60.5 +/- 9.6 mmHg). Correlations, after adjustment for age, of physical activity index with SBP (r = -.20, p < .05) and DBP (r = - 17, p < .05) were significant in boys, whereas in girls no significant association was found. This article provides some preliminary data on the blood pressure and physical activity patterns of school children in the Porto (Portugal) region.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 12