In 1988-94, the children's average systolic blood pressure was 104.6 mm Hg and their average diastolic pressure was 58.4 mm Hg. In 1999-2000, the children's average systolic pressure was 106 mm Hg and their average diastolic was 61.7 mm Hg.
In 1988-94, 11.7 percent of the children were overweight; in 1999-2000, 16.3 percent were overweight. Overweight is defined by body mass index (BMI), which is a measure of weight relative to height. Overweight children and teenagers have a BMI that falls in the 95th percentile or higher on age- and gender-specific growth charts, compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The systolic and diastolic blood pressure increases between the two surveys were large and occurred for all age and race/ethnic groups, and both genders. The systolic pressure increased by 1.4 mm Hg and the diastolic by 3.3 mm Hg from 1988-94 to 1999-2000.
Even after adjusting for BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 1 and 2.9 mm Hg higher, respectively, in 1999-2000, compared with 1988-94. This suggests that lifestyle factors other than overweight, such as physical activity and specific dietary nutrients, were also involved in the trends.
Further, systolic and diastolic blood pressures increased with age for all race/ethnic groups and both genders. For children ages 8-12, yearly systolic and diastolic blood pressure increases were greater for girls, compared with boys. For adolescents ages 13-17, yearly blood pressure increases were greater for boys, compared with girls.
The new clinical practice guidelines due for release this summer reflect
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NIH/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
4-May-2004