Gender differences in blood pressure and body composition in schoolchildren ascendants from Amerindian and European

Background: In spite of there are a wide knowledge of the prevalence of hypertension in adult, there is poor information on schoolchildren of different ethnicity and gender.Aim: To compare the levels of blood pressure and other cardiometabolic risk factors for hypertension between schoolchildren of different gender and ethnicity.Material and methods: In a cross-sectional study, 540 schoolchildren (6-13 years) ascendants from a Chilean public school population were analysed by ethnicity and gender in four groups (Mapuches N = 55; European boys N = 199, and Mapuches N = 64, and European girls N = 222). The study included the measurement of cardiovascular (systolic and diastolic blood pressure) as main outcomes, as well as other cardiovascular (resting heart rate), body composition (body mass, BMI, waist circumference, fat mass, muscle mass), muscle strength (handgrip strength of dominant, non-dominant, and mean handgrip strength) as additional cardiometabolic outcomes.Results: The systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in Mapuches girls 126 ± 4 vs. their European counterparts 119 ± 3 mmHg, P < .002, as well as diastolic blood pressure, was higher in Mapuches girls 82 ± 5 vs. European girls 74 ± 3 mmHg, P < .0001. There were more 'prehypertensive' Mapuches girls 10 (15.6%) vs. European peers 22 (9.9%) at P < .0001, and the 'hypertension' was significantly more prevalent in Mapuches boys 19 (34.5%) vs. European peers 39 (19.4%) at P < .0001, as well as in Mapuches girls 16 (25%) vs. European peers 33 (14.9%) at P < .0001. The 'obesity' was less prevalent in Mapuches 10 (18.2%) vs. European boys 55 (27.4%) at P < .0001. The waist circumference was high in European 74 ± 4 vs. Mapuches 67 ± 6 cm, P < .012 in boys, although, waist circumference was high in Mapuches girls 75 ± 5 vs. European peers 71 ± 3 cm, P < .021. There were higher levels of muscle mass in Mapuches boys 19.5 ± 12 vs. European peers 17.1 ± 4 kg, P < .0001.Conclusion: Mapuches girls show higher levels of systolic and diastolic BP than European girls, Mapuches boys and girls are more hypertensive than European peers, but are less obese than European schoolchildren peers. These cardiometabolic differences that are more detrimental for endemic ethnic Latinoamerican groups are in need to be explored further.

[Interaction between antihypertensive therapy and exercise training therapy requires drug regulation in hypertensive patients]

BACKGROUND

Exercise training could interact with the pharmacological therapy of hypertension, increasing the effects of these medications.

AIM

To assess the effects of 12 weeks of physical training on blood pressure of hypertensive or diabetic patients, already receiving pharmacological therapy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twelve participants with diabetes and hypertension, 16 participants with hypertension and 18 healthy participants were studied. During six weeks no intervention was carried out, except the treatment for their underlying conditions. During the ensuing six weeks, participants were subjected 12 sessions of physical training. Blood pressure was measured at baseline and after six and twelve weeks of intervention.

RESULTS

During the period without physical training, no changes in blood pressure were observed. After the physical training intervention systolic blood pressure decreased by 16, 17 and 20 mm Hg in participants with diabetes and hypertension, participants with hypertension and healthy participants, respectively. Diastolic blood pressure decreased by 9 and 6 mmHg in participants with diabetes and hypertension and hypertension alone, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a decrease in blood pressure among hypertensive participants receiving pharmacological therapy, after a period of physical training.