Blood pressure in obese adolescents: effect of weight loss. Association between physical activity and blood pressure in prepubertal children Physical activity reduces systemic blood pressure and improves early markers of atherosclerosis in pre-pubertal obese children. Activity behaviors in schoolchildren and subsequent 5-yr change in blood pressure. Blood pressure and BMI in adolescents in Aracaju, Brazil. A school-based intervention can reduce body fat and blood pressure in young adolescents. Blood pressure and associated factors in a North African adolescent population. a national cross-sectional study in Tunisia [Lack of influence of body mass on blood pressure reduction after exercising]. Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between physical activity and blood pressure in adolescence: birth cohort study. Effects of weight loss on clinic and ambulatory blood pressure in normotensive men. Blood pressure and related cardiovascular disease risk factors in 6-18 year-old students in Italy. Effect of a Modest Weight Loss in Normalizing Blood Pressure in Obese Subjects on Antihypertensive Drugs Exercise training improves body composition, blood lipid profile and serum insulin levels in obese children. Changes in BMI and blood pressure after a school based intervention: the CHILDREN study. Result of school-based intervention on cardiovascular risk factors Long-term follow-up of cardiovascular risk factors after exercise training in obese children. [Determinants of risk of cardiovascular diseases in schoolchildren].
The BP distribution of a group of 72 obese adolescents was determined both before and after weight loss . Weight loss was produced by a program of caloric restriction and behavior change alone ( n = 26 ) or with a combination of caloric restriction , behavior change , and exercise ( n = 25 ) . It was demonstrated that obese adolescents have a BP distribution that is skewed 1 SD to the right of normal ( P less than .01 ) , and that with weight loss this distribution was no longer different from that of the general population . It was also shown that a weight loss program that incorporates exercise and caloric restriction produces the most desirable effect on BP reduction ( ie , greatest decrease in resting systolic BP and greatest decrease in exercise diastolic and mean BP ) . Finally , it was demonstrated that obese adolescents have structural changes present in the forearm resistance vessels and that these structural changes are reversed to the greatest extent in the weight loss program that includes exercise Elevated blood pressure ( BP ) during childhood and adolescence increases the risk of hypertension in later life . Although physical activity is known to positively moderate BP , data regarding this relationship are limited in prepubertal children . We aim ed to assess the association between a range of physical activities ( including indoor and outdoor activity ) and BP in a large community-based sample of prepubertal schoolchildren . Eligible year-1 schoolchildren ( n=1765 ; mean age 6.7±0.4 years ) from a r and om cluster sample of 34 schools in Sydney , Australia , were examined .  Parents completed detailed question naires about their child 's activity . Height and weight were measured , and body mass index  ( BMI ) was calculated . BP was measured using a st and ard protocol , and elevated BP was defined using published guidelines . Physical activity was classified as low , medium or high ( that is , as tertiles ) . After adjusting for age , sex , ethnicity , height , BMI , parental qualifications and family history of hypertension and /or cardiovascular disease , children in the highest tertile of outdoor and indoor activities had significantly lower diastolic BP ( ∼1.5 mm Hg ; Ptrend=0.01 ) and systolic BP ( ∼1.3 mm Hg ; Ptrend=0.03 ) , respectively , compared with those in the lowest tertile ( reference ) . Linearly , time spent in indoor activities ( each hour per day ) was associated with ∼2.4 mm Hg decrease in diastolic BP ( P=0.001 ) . Physical activity was independently associated with lower BP in this sample of prepubertal children . The findings emphasize the importance of ensuring regular physical activity programs in primary schools to potentially reduce the risk of elevated BP in childhood and in later life OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the effects of physical activity on systemic blood pressure ( BP ) and early markers of atherosclerosis in pre-pubertal obese children . BACKGROUND Hypertension and endothelial dysfunction are premature complications of obesity . METHODS We performed a 3-month r and omized controlled trial with a modified crossover design : 44 pre-pubertal obese children ( age 8.9 + or - 1.5 years ) were r and omly assigned ( 1:1 ) to an exercise ( n = 22 ) or a control group ( n = 22 ) . We recruited 22 lean children ( age 8.5 + or - 1.5 years ) for baseline comparison . The exercise group trained 60 min 3 times/week during 3 months , whereas control subjects remained relatively inactive . Then , both groups trained twice/week during 3 months . We assessed changes at 3 and 6 months in office and 24-h BP , arterial intima-media thickness ( IMT ) and stiffness , endothelial function ( flow-mediated dilation ) , body mass index ( BMI ) , body fat , cardiorespiratory fitness ( maximal oxygen consumption [ VO(2)max ] ) , physical activity , and biological markers . RESULTS Obese children had higher BP , arterial stiffness , body weight , BMI , abdominal fat , insulin resistance indexes , and C-reactive protein levels , and lower flow-mediated dilation , VO(2)max , physical activity , and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels than lean subjects . At 3 months , we observed significant changes in 24-h systolic BP ( exercise -6.9 + or - 13.5 mm Hg vs. control 3.8 + or - 7.9 mm Hg , -0.8 + or - 1.5 st and ard deviation score [ SDS ] vs. 0.4 + or - 0.8 SDS ) , diastolic BP ( -0.5 + or - 1.0 SDS vs. 0 + or - 1.4 SDS ) , hypertension rate ( -12 % vs. -1 % ) , office BP , BMI z-score , abdominal fat , and VO(2)max . At 6 months , change differences in arterial stiffness and IMT were significant . CONCLUSIONS A regular physical activity program reduces BP , arterial stiffness , and abdominal fat ; increases cardiorespiratory fitness ; and delays arterial wall remodeling in pre-pubertal obese children . ( Effects of Aerobic Exercise Training on Arterial Function and Insulin Resistance Syndrome in Obese Children : A R and omized Controlled Trial ; NCT00801645 ) PURPOSE This study aim ed to establish whether time spent in sport-related physical activities and sedentary behaviors ( e.g. , TV viewing , videogame usage , and homework ) was prospect ively associated with change in blood pressure ( BP ) for 5 yr . METHODS Eight hundred and twenty-one students age 6 yr at baseline ( 397 girls and 424 boys ) were examined from 2003 - 2004 to 2009 - 2011 . Children completed detailed activity question naires . BP was measured using a st and ardized protocol . RESULTS After adjusting for age , ethnicity , parental education , parental history of hypertension , baseline height , BP , body mass index ( BMI ) , baseline time spent in corresponding activity behavior , and change in BMI , each hour per day spent in total screen time was associated with a 0.69 and 0.59 mm Hg increase in diastolic BP ( P = 0.01 ) and mean arterial BP ( P = 0.01 ) , respectively . In boys , each hour per day spent in TV viewing was associated with a concurrent 1.42-mm Hg increase in diastolic BP ( P = 0.04 ) during the 5 yr . Children engaging in low sport-related physical activities at baseline but who engaged in high levels of physical activity ( ≥ 60 min · d(-1 ) ) at follow-up ( n = 154 ) compared with those engaging in low sport-related physical activities at both examinations ( n = 305 ) demonstrated significantly lower mean arterial BP , 7.26 versus 9.61 mm Hg ( P = 0.04 ) . CONCLUSIONS Time spent in physical activity and screen time could influence BP measures during childhood OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence of high blood pressure ( BP ) and the association of overweight and obesity with  high BP among adolescents in Aracaju , Brazil . DESIGN Cross-sectional study . The main outcome measure was the proportion of adolescents with high BP ( sex- , age- and height-specific ≥ 95th percentile ) . The main predictor variables were overweight and obesity defined according to the criteria of the International Obesity Task Force . Other covariates included age , socio-economic status and leisure-time physical activity . SETTING Aracaju , Brazil , capital city of Sergipe State , north-eastern Brazil . SUBJECTS A r and om sample of 1002 adolescents ( 442 boys and 560 girls ) aged 12 - 17 years selected from twenty public schools and ten private schools were studied . RESULTS The prevalence of high BP was 16.9 % ( 95 % CI 13.1 , 21.7 ) in boys and 12.9 % ( 95 % CI 9.0 , 18.0 ) in girls . After adjusting for age , socio-economic status and leisure-time physical activity in both boys and girls , overweight ( prevalence ratio ( PR ) = 1.93 , 95 % CI 1.08 , 3.48 ; PR = 4.34 , 95 % CI 2.58 , 7.30 , respectively ) and obesity ( PR = 4.87 , 95 % CI 2.35 , 10.11 ; PR = 5.18 , 95 % CI 2.67 , 10.06 , respectively ) were found to be associated with high BP . CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate a high prevalence of high BP in both boys and girls in Aracaju , Brazil . Overweight and obesity were strongly associated with high BP . These findings underscore the urgent need for public health measures to prevent increasing high BP  in adolescents in Brazil .  Targeting intervention in adolescence may be a critical method for preventing high BP in later life PURPOSE To determine the effect of increasing the aerobic component of the school 's physical activity program and improving the knowledge about weight control and blood pressure on the blood pressure and body fat of early adolescents . METHODS The subjects were 1140 youth aged 11 to 14 years ( 630 females , 510 males ; 64 % white , 24.4 % African-American , and 11.6 % " other " ) , who were r and omly assigned by school into four treatment groups : exercise only , education only , exercise and education combined , and control group . Heights , weights , and skinfold thicknesses were measured , and body mass index ( BMI ) was computed kg/m(2 ) . Blood pressure was obtained in duplicate using a r and om-zero mercury sphygmomanometer . Maximal oxygen uptake was predicted from a submaximal cycle ergometer test . Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance statistics , adjusting for gender , ethnicity , age , socioeconomic status , and initial baseline characteristics . RESULTS Systolic and diastolic blood pressures increased more in the control group than in the intervention groups ( p = .001 ) . The BMI did not change significantly ( p = .709 ) , but the sum of skinfolds increased less in subjects in the exercise intervention groups than the education only or control groups ( p = .0001 ) . The small increase in (p)VO(2)max of the combined exercise and education group was significantly greater than the education only group ( p = .0001 ) . CONCLUSION An exercise program for youth can have a positive effect on blood pressure independent of body weight loss Background In southern and eastern Mediterranean countries , changes in lifestyle and the increasing prevalence of excess weight in childhood are risk factors for high blood pressure ( BP ) during adolescence and adulthood . The aim of this study was to evaluate the BP status of Tunisian adolescents and to identify associated factors . Methods A cross-sectional study in 2005 , based on a national , stratified , r and om cluster sample of 1294 boys and 1576 girls aged 15 - 19 surveyed in home visits . The socio-economic and behavioral characteristics of the adolescents were recorded . Overweight/obesity were assessed by Body Mass Index ( BMI ) from measured height and weight ( WHO , 2007 ) , abdominal obesity by waist circumference ( WC ) . BP was measured twice during the same visit  . Elevated BP was systolic ( SBP ) or diastolic blood pressure ( DBP ) ≥ 90th of the international reference or ≥ 120/80 mm Hg for 15 - 17 y. , and SBP/DBP ≥ 120/80 mm Hg for 18 - 19 y. ; hypertension was SBP/DBP ≥ 95th for 15 - 17 y. and ≥ 140/90 mm Hg for 18 - 19 y. Adjusted associations were assessed by logistic regression . Results The prevalence of elevated BP was 35.1%[32.9 - 37.4 ] : higher among boys ( 46.1 % vs. 33.3 % ; P < 0.0001 ) ; 4.7%[3.8 - 5.9 ] of adolescents had hypertension . Associations adjusted for all covariates showed independent relationships with BMI and WC : - obesity vs. no excess weight increased elevated BP ( boys OR = 2.1[1.0 - 4.2 ] , girls OR = 2.3[1.3 - 3.9 ] ) and hypertension ( boys OR = 3.5[1.4 - 8.9 ] , girls OR = 5.4[2.2 - 13.4 ] ) , - abdominal obesity ( WC ) was also associated with elevated BP in both genders ( for boys : 2nd vs. 1st tertile OR = 1.7[1.3 - 2.3 ] , 3rd vs.1st tertile OR = 2.8[1.9 - 4.2 ] ; for girls : 2nd vs. 1st tertile OR = 1.6[1.2 - 2.1 ] , 3rd vs.1st tertile OR = 2.1[1.5 - 3.0 ] ) but only among boys for hypertension . Associations with other covariates were weaker : for boys , hypertension increased somewhat with sedentary lifestyle , while elevated BP was slightly more prevalent among urban girls and those not attending school . Conclusion Within the limits of BP measurement on one visit only , these results suggest that Tunisian adolescents of both genders are likely not spared from early elevated BP . Though further assessment is likely needed , the strong association with overweight/obesity observed suggests that interventions aim ed at changing lifestyles to reduce this main risk factor may also be appropriate for the prevention of elevated BP BACKGROUND Hypertension ( H ) is associated with a large number of co-morbidities , including obesity . The correlation between two variables has been investigated . OBJECTIVE To analyze the correlation between the loss of body mass and blood pressure reduction in hypertensive patients undergoing exercising programs ( EP ) .  METHODS One hundred eleven hypertensive patients with overweight or obesity were r and omly divided into an experimental group ( EG ) . Out of these , 57 ( 58 + /- 8.9 years old ) participated in a three-month EP conducted three times a week in aerobic exercise sessions from 50 % to 70 % of VO2 peak for 30 to 60 minutes and resistance exercises ; and a control group ( CG ) with 54 ( 60 + /- 7.7 years old ) who did not participate in the EP . In the EG , blood pressure ( BP ) was measured before each session and the measurement of anthropometric variables ( AV ) at the beginning of the program and after three months . In the CG the BP and the VA were evaluated in the doctor 's office at the beginning and at the end of the study . Data were expressed as mean + /- st and ard deviation ( SD ) . Pearson correlation and t test were used . A value of p < 0.05 was considered significant . RESULTS In the CG there was no significant difference in AV and BP at the beginning and at the end of the study . In the EG , there was no significant alteration in the AV , however , there was blood pressure reduction of 12 % in systolic BP ( -17.5 mmHg , p = 0.001 ) and 9 % in Diastolic BP ( -8.1 mmHg , p = 0 . 01 ) at the end of the study . There was no correlation between the AV and decrease in BP ( r = 0.1 ) . CONCLUSION The blood pressure reduction was not correlated with reduction of anthropometric measures after the exercising period OBJECTIVES To explore cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between self-reported and accelerometry-based physical activity ( PA ) and blood pressure ( BP ) between 11 and 14 years of age . METHODS Prospect i ve birth cohort study in Pelotas , Brazil . Participants were 427 cohort members who were followed up with at 11 , 12 , and 14 years of age , and had question naire data on PA and BP at 11 and 14 years , as well as accelerometry and question naire data on PA at 12 years . Outcome measures were continuous systolic and diastolic BP at 14 years , and change in BP from 11 to 14 years . RESULTS PA was unrelated to systolic BP in any analyses . PA measured by accelerometry at 12 years , but not question naire-derived PA , was inversely associated with diastolic BP at 14 years of age in fully adjusted models . Those who exceeded the 300-minutes PA threshold at all 3 visits had a 2.6 mmHg lower mean increase in DBP from 11 to 14 years compared with those classified below the threshold in all visits . CONCLUSIONS Accelerometry-based PA was longitudinally inversely associated with  diastolic BP . This finding was not evident when analyzing self-reported PA at a given age , suggesting a possible underestimation of the association when using subjective data Obesity and physical inactivity are associated with both elevated cardiovascular risk and blood pressure ( BP ) , but the interrelation of exercise , weight loss and BP is poorly understood . This study examines the independent effects of exercise and weight loss on both st and ard clinic and automated , ambulatory BP in 115 overweight , sedentary , normotensive men ( aged 30 to 59 years ) who were r and omly assigned to control status or to lose weight over 1 year by moderate caloric restriction ( dieting ) or by increased caloric expenditure ( exercise ) .  Median daytime and evening BP were determined from measurements made every 20 minutes while the subjects were awake . After 1 year , the control group gained ( mean + /- st and ard deviation ) 0.5 + /- 3.8 kg while the diet group lost 6.9 + /- 4.4 kg and the exercise group lost 4.6 + /- 3.5 kg . Clinic BP decreased similarly in all 3 groups , but daytime and evening ambulatory BP decreased in both intervention groups and increased in the control group . Relative to the 1-year change in control subjects , net change in daytime ambulatory BP averaged -2 to -3 mm Hg in both dieters and exercisers , while net change in evening ambulatory BP averaged -3 to -4 mm Hg . These changes were all statistically significant ( p less than 0.05 ) when compared with control subjects except for daytime systolic BP in both intervention groups and evening diastolic BP in dieters . Weight loss achieved through caloric restriction or expenditure may cause important decreases in BP in normotensive men ; exercise appears to confer no unique benefit . If confirmed , these results have important public health implication s for the prevention of cardiovascular disease OBJECTIVES The aims of this study were to provide data on blood pressure ( BP ) levels , to measure prevalence of high-normal or high BP and to identify a set of conditions that may predict high BP ( HBP ) in a population of children and adolescents in Italy . METHODS A r and om sample of students 6 - 18 years old attending r and omly selected schools in Catanzaro , Italy , was recruited . All students completed a question naire on their health and on health behaviours , such as physical activity , diet , drinking and smoking . Blood pressure , heart rate , height , weight and body mass index ( BMI ) were recorded . RESULTS Of the 603 subjects examined , 12.8 % had high-normal BP , 3.5 % hypertension ( HTN ) and 11.1 % were obese . High-normal or high diastolic BP ( DBP ) was significantly more likely in older subjects with a higher BMI , in those with a smoker mother and in preterm children , whereas high-normal or high systolic BP ( SBP ) was significantly more likely to be found in older subjects with a higher BMI and in those who had at least one parent with HTN . High-normal or high DBP or SBP were significantly predicted by BMI and age . CONCLUSIONS Interventions should focus at reducing obesity and encouraging proper dietary habits , sufficient exercise and cessation of smoking habit in parents too , especially in children with a family history of HTN Objective : To assess the effect of a lifestyle intervention in lowering/normalizing blood pressure ( BP ) levels in hypertensive ( controlled or not ) obese patients . Methods : In this prospect i ve observational study , 490 obese hypertensive patients , 389 controlled ( BP < 140/90 mm Hg ; CH ) and 101 uncontrolled ( BP ≥ 140/90 mm Hg ; UH ) attended a 3-month lifestyle intervention .  Before and after the intervention we assessed weight , waist circumference , fat mass , BP , metabolic and renal variables , and physical activity . A multivariate regression model was used to determine the predictors of BP changes . Results : 18.9 % of CH and 20.0 % of UH were on ≥ 3 antihypertensive drugs . Weight change ( average -4.9 ± 2.7 % ) was independent of the antihypertensive drugs employed . Systolic BP ( SBP ) decreased by 23 mm Hg and diastolic BP ( DBP ) by 9 mm Hg , in patients with UH most of whom ( 89 % ) normalized BP levels ( in 49 % after a weight loss < 5 % ) . Age , gender , whole and central obesity , concomitance of type 2 diabetes , chronic renal disease , physical activity intensification , and pharmacological therapy did not affect BP lowering . In the regression analysis with SBP change as dependent variable , weight reduction ( β = 0.523 , p = 0.005 ) and group ( UH vs. CH , β = -19.40 , p = 0.0005 ) remained associated with SBP reduction . When DBP change was entered as dependent variable , baseline uric acid remained associated with DBP reduction ( β = 0.824 , p < 0.05 ) . Conclusion : Lifestyle interventions are useful for all obese hypertensive patients in most of whom a modest weight loss is sufficient to normalize BP levels avoiding the aggressive use of multiple antihypertensive drugs AIM Increasing prevalence of obesity and related diseases especially in children and adolescent has gained more scientific attention . The present study was conducted to determine the effects of regular exercise on childhood obesity often associated with clinical conditions such as hypertension , dyslipidemia and diabetes already at a young age . METHODS The subjects were 40 obese children at 11 ± 1 years and with Body Mass Index ( BMI ) of at least 30 kg/m2 who volunteered to the study and r and omly classified into exercising and non-exercising control group . Physical load of the exercising group was first determined by the Karvonen protocol after which to the subjects underwent a 12-week aerobic exercise training program primary consisting of walking and jogging exercise . Blood pressure , biochemical cardiovascular risk factors and body composition were assessed before and after the exercise-training period and compared to the non-exercising control group . RESULTS In the exercising group , statistically significant changes were observed in the circumference of forearm , elbow , calf , knee , waist , chest and hip , as well as skin fold thickness of chest , subscapulae , calf , abdomen , suprailiac and leg . Similarly , total cholesterol , triglyceride , LDL , VLDL and insulin levels were found to be lower and HDL levels higher than in the non-exercising control group . CONCLUSION While treating obesity in children , a major emphasis should be directed towards increasing regular physical activity and supported with dietary interventions . By this approach the risk of other chronic diseases often associated with obesity could be minimized thereby improving the quality of life BACKGROUND Identification of the behavioural , normative and control beliefs influencing children 's behaviour is an important prerequisite in design ing effective interventions . The current study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention program , based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour ( TPB ) , on  obesity indices and blood pressure ( BP ) in Ioannina , Greece . METHODS Participants were 646 fifth grade pupils ( 360 girls and 286 boys ) . The intervention group ( IG ) consisted of 321 children in 13 r and omly selected schools while the rest ( n = 325 children ) served as the  control group ( CG ) . Based on the outcome of the TPB question naire , the intervention focused on overcoming the barriers in accessing physical activity areas , increasing the availability of fruits and vegetables and increasing parental support . General linear mixed model and mediating variable analysis were used to evaluate the differences between the two groups and to test whether changes in certain dietary , physical activity and anthropometrical indices mediated the effect of the intervention on BP . RESULTS IG had higher consumption of fruits and lower consumption of fats/oils and sweets/beverages compared with the CG . Intervention 's effect on BMI could be explained by the changes in fruit and fats/oils intake whereas the reduction of systolic and diastolic BP could be explained by the reduction of BMI . CONCLUSIONS The findings indicate favourable changes in BP and obesity indices after the implementation of a 1-year school-based intervention program based on the TPB . These results highlight the importance of developing a social and physical environment that promotes balanced eating behaviours and extra-curricular access to physical activity venues Abstract Objective . To assess the effectiveness of a two-year school-based intervention , consisting of integrated and replicable physical activity and nutritional education on weight , fat percentage , cardiovascular risk factors , and blood pressure . Design and setting . Six elementary schools in Reykjavik were r and omly assigned to be either intervention ( n = 3 ) or control ( n = 3 ) schools . Seven-year-old children in the second grade in these schools were invited to participate ( n = 321 ) ; 268 ( 83 % ) underwent some or all of the measurements . These 286 children were followed up for two years . Intervention . Children in intervention schools participated in an integrated and replicable physical activity programme , increasing to approximately 60 minutes of physical activity during school in the second year of intervention . Furthermore , they received special information about nutrition , and parents , teachers , and school food service staff were all involved in the intervention . Subjects . 321seven-year-old schoolchildren . Main outcome measures . Blood pressure , obesity , percentage of body fat , lipid profile , fasting insulin . Results . Children in the intervention group had a 2.3 mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure ( SBP ) and a 2.9 mmHg increase in diastolic blood pressure ( DBP ) over the two-year intervention period , while children in the control group increased SBP by 6.7 mmHg and DPB by 8.4 mmHg . These changes were not statistically significant . Furthermore there were no significant changes in percentage body fat , lipid profile , or fasting insulin between the intervention and control schools . Conclusion . A two-year school-based intervention with increased physical activity and healthy diet did not have a significant effect on common cardiovascular risk factors OBJECTIVE We previously demonstrated beneficial effects of physical activity on cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) risk factors , body mass index ( BMI ) and fat mass in  pre-pubescent obese children . The aim of this study was to determine whether these changes were maintained 2 years later . METHODS Two years after the R and omised Controlled Trial , we performed a follow-up study with 20 of 38 subjects ( 11.4 ± 1.8 years ) . Outcomes included blood pressure ( BP ) by ambulatory monitoring ; arterial function and structure using high-resolution ultrasound , BMI , body composition by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry ( DXA ) , physical activity using accelerometer , and biological markers . RESULTS During the 2-year follow-up period , mean 24-hour diastolic BP z-score significantly decreased ( 1.4 ± 1.2 vs. 0.3 ± 1.4 , p = 0.04 ) , while systolic BP z-score was slightly reduced ( 2.4 ± 1.5 vs. 1.4 ± 1.7 , p = 0.067 ) . Blood pressure changes were greater in children who diminished their BMI z-score compared with the ones who did not . Systolic hypertension rates dropped from 50 to 28 % and diastolic hypertension from 42 to 6 % . In addition , arterial intima-media thickness ( 0.51 ± 0.03 vs. 0.51 ± 0.06 , p = 0.79 ) , BMI z-score ( 2.9 ± 0.8 vs. 2.9 ± 1.1 kg.cm(-2 ) , p = 0.27 ) , body fat ( 41.9 ± 6.9 vs. 42.8 ± 6.7 % ; p = 0.39 ) and physical activity count ( 703 ± 209 vs. 574 ± 244 cpm , p = 0.30 ) were stable . CONCLUSION To our knowledge , this is the first study reporting that beneficial effects on adiposity and CVD risk factors of a physical activity centred intervention are sustained 2 years after the cessation of training in obese children . Subjects stabilized BMI z-score and maintained physical activity with further improvement of BP and stabilization of arterial wall remodelling . We conclude that it is important to encourage physical activity in this population . Effects of Aerobic Exercise Training on Arterial Function and Insulin Resistance Syndrome in Obese Children : A R and omised Controlled Trial : NCT00801645 OBJECTIVE To investigate the occurrence and association of arterial hypertension with several lifestyle variables . METHODS Transversal population -based study with a r and om sample of students ( 7 to 14 years of age ) of public and private schools . Variables investigated were nutritional status , blood pressure , and lifestyle ( tobacco use , alcohol intake , physical activity and eating habits ) . RESULTS Out of the 3,169 schoolchildren assessed , 5.0 % had arterial hypertension and 6.2 % had normal-high blood pressure . Classification by gender shows boys 6.4 % and girls 6.0 % with normal-high blood pressure , and boys 4.3 % and girls 5.7 % with arterial hypertension . Body mass index ( BMI ) measurements identified 16.0 % excess weight students , 4.9 % of whom were obese . A significant association ( p = 0.01 ) between arterial hypertension and excess weight was observed . Among the students participating in the study , 11.6 % did not attend physical education classes and 37.8 % had sedentary leisure habits . Twenty students ( 0.6 % ) were smokers and 32.7 % had already experimented with alcohol . None of these variables showed statistical significance as to blood pressure values and nutritional status . CONCLUSION In light of the findings in this study which show schoolchildren with a higher than expected frequency of mean blood pressure and BMI values , associated with a lifestyle that tends to favour the development of cardiovascular diseases , we felt led to propose interventional measures focused on the school as an agent of change and capable of conveying information to family units . This possibility encourages us to propose that schools be partners in promoting health
The results suggest that despite the existence of hegemonic thinking to guide these relationships , BP and physical activity do not always have negative associations , and BP and obesity do not always have positive associations .
In the light of the importance of the impacts that obesity and physical activity may have on  blood pressure ( BP ) among adolescents , and the suggestion that abnormal pressure levels at young ages are maintained into more mature stages of these individuals ' lives , the scope of this study is to conduct a systematic review of the associations between obesity and BP and between physical activity and BP among adolescents .