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Background <p>Blood pressure (BP) measurements are clinical parameters that are rarely used in routine assessments of schoolchildren under 10 years of age. However, changes in lifestyle and excess weight have led to the presence of early hypertension in the pediatric population. The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency of hypertensive measures in schoolchildren according to sex and whether they are related to anthropometric measurements, sedentary behavior, and physical activity practices during weekdays and on weekends.</p> Methods <p>This cross-sectional study included 735 Portuguese children living in socioeconomical vulnerable (380 boys and 355 girls) aged 6 to 10 years old. Body mass, height, waist circumference (WC), systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP (DPB) were assessed. Body mass index (BMI), BMI z-score (BMI-z), tri-ponderal mass index (TMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were calculated. Sedentary behavior, and physical activity levels were determined by accelerometry. BP was classified using four categories: normal, elevated BP, hypertension (isolated SBP), and hypertension (DBP or both). Descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA and generalized linear models were used.</p> Results <p>The frequency of hypertension DBP or both found in girls (9.5%) did differ significantly from that observed in boys (5.6%). Girls had higher DBP mean and risk of elevated BP of 1.79 times compared to boys. In relation to the practice of physical activities during weekdays and weekends, the girls had a higher mean of light physical activity and lower moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) than boys. Hypertensive girls (DBP or both) had higher TMI (<i>p</i> = 0.015) and WHtR (<i>p</i> = 0.023) than normotensive. The odds of SBP hypertension are higher with high TMI (OR = 2.39) and WHtR (OR = 2.67), just as hypertension (DBP or both) is associated with high BMI-z (OR = 3.39) and insufficient weekend MVPA (OR = 3.61).</p> Conclusion <p>Girls had a higher mean of DBP, risk of elevated BP and lower MVPA than boys. Hypertensive girls have a higher TMI and WHtR means than normotensive. Schoolchildren under 10 years with excessive BMI-z, TMI, WHtR or insufficient weekend MVPA have a higher risk of hypertension.</p>

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Sex differences in blood pressure and physical activity among socioeconomically vulnerable Portuguese schoolchildren aged 6 to 10 years: insights from the BeE-school Project

  • 期刊论文

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月6日

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  • Neiva Leite,
  • Maiara Cristina Tadiotto,
  • Ana Duarte,
  • Claudia Augusto,
  • Maria José Silva,
  • Caroline Brand,
  • Jorge Mota,
  • Beatriz Pereira,
  • Rafaela Rosário

摘要

Background

Blood pressure (BP) measurements are clinical parameters that are rarely used in routine assessments of schoolchildren under 10 years of age. However, changes in lifestyle and excess weight have led to the presence of early hypertension in the pediatric population. The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency of hypertensive measures in schoolchildren according to sex and whether they are related to anthropometric measurements, sedentary behavior, and physical activity practices during weekdays and on weekends.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 735 Portuguese children living in socioeconomical vulnerable (380 boys and 355 girls) aged 6 to 10 years old. Body mass, height, waist circumference (WC), systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP (DPB) were assessed. Body mass index (BMI), BMI z-score (BMI-z), tri-ponderal mass index (TMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were calculated. Sedentary behavior, and physical activity levels were determined by accelerometry. BP was classified using four categories: normal, elevated BP, hypertension (isolated SBP), and hypertension (DBP or both). Descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA and generalized linear models were used.

Results

The frequency of hypertension DBP or both found in girls (9.5%) did differ significantly from that observed in boys (5.6%). Girls had higher DBP mean and risk of elevated BP of 1.79 times compared to boys. In relation to the practice of physical activities during weekdays and weekends, the girls had a higher mean of light physical activity and lower moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (p < 0.001) than boys. Hypertensive girls (DBP or both) had higher TMI (p = 0.015) and WHtR (p = 0.023) than normotensive. The odds of SBP hypertension are higher with high TMI (OR = 2.39) and WHtR (OR = 2.67), just as hypertension (DBP or both) is associated with high BMI-z (OR = 3.39) and insufficient weekend MVPA (OR = 3.61).

Conclusion

Girls had a higher mean of DBP, risk of elevated BP and lower MVPA than boys. Hypertensive girls have a higher TMI and WHtR means than normotensive. Schoolchildren under 10 years with excessive BMI-z, TMI, WHtR or insufficient weekend MVPA have a higher risk of hypertension.