Incidence of high blood pressure in children — effects of physical activity and sedentary behaviors: the IDEFICS study

de Moraes, A. C. F. et al. (2015) Incidence of high blood pressure in children — effects of physical activity and sedentary behaviors: the IDEFICS study. International Journal of Cardiology, 180, pp. 165-170. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.11.175)

Abstract

Background/objectives: High blood pressure (HBP) is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and it has a high prevalence in pediatric populations. However, the determinants of the incidence of Pre-HBP and HBP in children are not well known. i) To describe the incidence of HBP in European children; and ii) to evaluate the effect of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) on the Pre-HBP and HBP.

Methods: The IDEFICS cohort study. A total of 16,228 children 2–9 years at baseline were recruited by complex sampling population-based survey in eight European countries. At baseline (T0), 5221 children were selected for accelerometer measurements; 5061 children were re-examined 2 years later (T1). We estimated the incidence of Pre-HBP and HBP and evaluate the effect of PA and SB on the Pre-HBP and HBP, by computing relative risks and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (RR, 95% CI).

Results: Incidences of Pre-HBP and HBP per year were: 121/1000 children and 110/1000 children, respectively. We found that children maintaining SB > 2 h/d during the two year follow-up showed a RR of having HBP of 1.28 (1.03–1.60). Children in T1 not performing the recommended amount of PA (< 60 min/d) have a RR of HBP of 1.53 (1.12 to 2.09). We found no association between pre-HBP and the behaviors.

Conclusion: The incidence of pre-HBP and HBP is high in European children. Maintaining sedentary behaviors during childhood increases the risk of developing HBP after two years of follow-up.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Pitsiladis, Dr Yannis
• Authors: de Moraes, A. C. F., Carvalho, H. B., Siani, A., Barba, G., Veidebaum, T., Tornaritis, M., Molnar, D., Ahrens, W., Wirsik, N., De Henauw, S., Mårild, S., Lissner, L., Konstabel, K., Pitsiladis, Y., and Moreno, L. A.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
• Journal Name: International Journal of Cardiology
• Publisher: Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
• ISSN: 0167-5273
• ISSN (Online): 1874-1754