Prevalência de pré-hipertensão e de hipertensão arterial e avaliação de fatores associados em crianças e adolescentes de escolas públicas de Salvador, Bahia, Brasil

The Role of Adiposity in the Association Between Physical Activity and Blood Pressure in Children

Purpose: To analyze whether body adiposity mediates and/or moderates the association between time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activities (MVPA) and blood pressure in children. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 577 children aged 5 to 7 years old. MVPA was measured by accelerometry. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and the sum of tricipital and subscapular skinfolds (skinfolds) assessed children's body adiposity. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were used as the dependent variables. Results: In the primary analysis adjusting for BMI or skinfolds measures, additional time in MVPA was associated with higher SBP. On the other hand, further analyses showed that children in the largest BMI tertile (β_SBP:0.18; 95%CI: 0.12-0.24; β_DBP:0.11; 95%CI: 0.05-0.17), waist circumference (β_SBP:0.16; CI: 0.09-0.22; β_DBP:0.08; CI:0.02-0.14), or sum of skinfolds (β_SBP:0.18; CI: 0.11-0.24; β_DBP:0.09; CI: 0.03-0.16) presented a positive relationship between MVPA and blood pressure whereas no positive association was observed for children in the first and second adiposity tertiles. Adiposity also mediated the association between MVPA and blood pressure. A decrease of 0.03 mmHg in the systolic blood pressure was observed by decreasing the sum of skinfolds for each additional minute per day in MVPA. A decrease in diastolic blood pressure of 0.02 mmHg was observed for each additional minute per day in MVPA, which was related to a negative association between time in MVPA and waist circumference and sum of skinfolds. Conclusion: Not accounting for the potential moderation and mediation role of adiposity may lead to misinterpretations in the MVPA and blood pressure relationship.

Proposition of Cutoff Points for Anthropometric Indicators to Identify High Blood Pressure in Adolescents

Aim

To propose cutoff points for anthropometric indicators for high blood pressure (HBP) screening in adolescents and to identify, among these indicators, those more accurately for boys and girls.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was carried out in the city of São José, SC, Brazil with 634 adolescents aged 14 to 19 years. Blood pressure levels were measured using a digital oscillometric sphygmomanometer and adolescents were classified as having HBP or not. Anthropometric indicators were calculated based on anthropometric measurements such as body mass (BM), height, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC) and triceps, subscapularis, suprailiac, and midcalf skinfold thickness (SF). The Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC) was used to analyze the predictive capacity of anthropometric indicators in the identification of HBP.

Results

Higher values of Area Under the Curve (AUC) were for the anthropometric indicators BM (0.67; 95%CI: 0.62-0.72), body mass index (BMI) (0.67; 95%CI: 0.62-0.72), and WC (0.67; 95%CI: 0.62-0.71) for males. For females, no anthropometric indicator had discriminatory power for HBP screening. The cutoff points for the anthropometric indicators with discriminatory power for HBP screening in males were BM > 64.80 Kg, BMI > 21.76 Kg/m2, fat percentage (FP) > 15.75, waist height to ratio (WHtR) > 0.41, WC > 73.00 cm, and HC > 92.25 cm.

Conclusion

Anthropometric indicators of body adiposity had greater discriminatory power of HBP screening in males. For females, caution is suggested because the anthropometric indicators showed AUC values (95%CI) below 0.60.

Can the Consumption of Ultra-Processed Food Be Associated with Anthropometric Indicators of Obesity and Blood Pressure in Children 7 to 10 Years Old?

The consumption of ultra-processed foods plays an important role in the development of obesity and hypertension. The present study investigated the association between consumption of food according to the degree of processing and anthropometric indicators of obesity and blood pressure in children. This is a cross-sectional study with 164 children aged 7-10 years. The body mass index (BMI) for age, waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) was evaluated. Food consumption was analyzed by three 24-h dietary recalls, and classified as: G1-unprocessed or minimally processed; G2-culinary ingredients and processed food; and G3-ultra-processed food. Linear regression analyses were used to investigate the associations among variables. The average energy consumption was 1762.76 kcal/day, split into 45.42%, 10.88%, and 43.70%, provided by G1, G2, and G3, respectively. Adjusted linear regression analyses identified that the caloric contribution of G1 was inversely associated with DBP, showing that for each 10% increase in the energy intake of minimally processed foods, there was a reduction of 0.96 mmHg in the DBP (β:-0.10; 95% CI:-0.19 to -0.01; r2 = 0.20). There was no association between the caloric contribution of food groups and BMI, WC, WHtR, and SBP. Increasing consumption of G1 could be a strategy for the prevention and treatment of hypertension in schoolchildren.

Waist Circumference Percentiles and Cut-Off Values for Obesity in a Large Sample of Students from 6 To 10 Years Old Of The São Paulo State, Brazil

Fundamento

A prevalência da obesidade vem aumentando sistematicamente na população, inclusive nas crianças e adolescentes, ao redor do mundo.

Objetivos

Descrever curvas percentílicas de referência para a circunferência abdominal (CA) nas crianças brasileiras e fornecer pontos de corte da CA para identificar crianças com risco de obesidade.

Métodos

Um estudo multicêntrico, prospectivo, tranversal foi realizado em crianças com idades entre 6 e 10 anos, matriculadas no ensino fundamental de escolas públicas e particulares de 13 cidades do estado de São Paulo. A estatura, o peso e a CA foram medidos em duplicata em 22.000 crianças (11.199 meninos). Para estabelecer o melhor ponto de corte da CA para o diagnóstico da obesidade, foram calculadas curvas ROC com crianças classificadas como com peso normal e obesas, de acordo com as curvas do IMC, estratificadas por gênero e idade, e o índice Youden foi utilizado como a eficácia potencial máxima desse biomarcador. Valores de p < 0,05 foram considerados estatisticamente significativos.

Resultados

Os valores da CA aumentaram com a idade, tanto nos meninos quanto nas meninas. A prevalência de obesidade em cada grupo variou de 17% (6 anos de idade) a 21,6 % (9 anos de idade), dentre os meninos, e de 14,1% (7 anos de idade) a 17,3 % (9 anos de idade), dentre as meninas. As análises ROC mostraram o percentil 75 como ponto de corte para o risco de obesidade, e o diagnóstico de obesidade está classificado no percentil 85 ou acima.

Conclusão

Curvas de referência da CA específicas para idade e sexo em crianças brasileiras e pontos de corte para o risco de obesidade podem ser usados em triagem nacional e estudos intervencionais para reduzir a carga da obesidade no Brasil. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 114(3):530-537)

Blood pressure is associated with body adiposity indicators in children aged 4 to 7 years

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE

Studies in adults have shown an association between increased adiposity and hypertension, but few studies have analyzed this association in childhood. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between blood pressure (BP) and body adiposity indicators in children, controlling for the variables of birth conditions, sociodemographics, lifestyle and diet.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study of 399 children aged 4 to 7 years, the dependent variable was BP, measured according to the protocol established by the 7th Brazilian Guidelines on Hypertension. The explanatory variables of the study were waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and body mass index (BMI). Multiple linear regression was used to assess the independent association between adiposity and BP indicators adjusted for the variables of birth conditions, sociodemographics, lifestyle and diet. Statistical significance was set as α=5%.

RESULTS

BMI for age and WHtR correlated positively with systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). After multivariate analysis, higher values of BMI (model 1) and WHtR (model 2) were associated with increased SBP and DBP.

CONCLUSION

Increased body adiposity, as assessed by BMI and WHtR, was associated with increased SBP and DBP among the children studied. Thus, we suggest the use of BMI and WHtR in the nutritional assessment of children to detect changes in BP and other cardiometabolic risk factors in this population.

Overweight and obesity are not associated to high blood pressure in young people sport practitioners

The aim of this study was to analyze the association between overweight and obesity with high blood pressure (HBP) according to sports practice in young people. Took part in this study 636 young people aged 10 to 17 years of Londrina, Parana State, Brazil. Sex, age, parental education, sedentary behavior, sports practice, nutritional status and blood pressure were analysed. Poisson regression was used to estimate the prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% confidence intervals. Overweight and obesity young people showed higher prevalence of HBP compared to eutrophics when analysed the total sample (25,7 e 29,5 vs 15,2%) and non sport practitioners (29,7 e 33,3 vs 15,1%), which did not occur with sports practitioners (17,1 e 18,2 vs 15,5%). Positive associations were found between overweight and obesity with HBP in total sample (PR = 1,60, 1,02-2,52 and 1,93, 1,15-3,25) and on non sport practitioners (RP = 1,80, 1,05-3,14 and 2,15, 1,10-4,16). For young people sports practitioners were not found associations between overweight and obesity with HBP (PR = 1,01, 0,36-2,82 and 1,09, 0,48-2,48). Weight excess was not associated with HBP in young people sports practitioners, suggesting cardiovascular protection in young people with overweight and obesity.

Association between arterial hypertension and nutritional status in adolescents from Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil

INTRODUCTION

Adolescents are a population with unique lifestyle challenges, including physical inactivity, inadequate nutrition, and obesity, all of which increase the risk of developing hypertension (HTN). The objective of this study has been to estimate the prevalence of factors associated with hypertension in adolescents in the city of Goiânia City, Central Brazil.

METHODS

Between 2013and2014, a cross-sectional population study on cardiovascular risk in adolescents, was conducted with the participation of 1,586 adolescents in 108 classes at 36 schools (public and private) in Goiânia city. All of the adolescents were interviewed to establish their sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics related to hypertension and nutritional status. Anthropometric and blood pressure data were collected following a protocol. A Poisson regression, stratified by gender, was used to verify the factors associated with HTN.

RESULTS

In this mixed-gender group of 1,586 students, the prevalence of HTN was 6.2% (95% CI: 4.6-8.2%) in girls and 14.0% (95% CI: 10.2-18.8%) in boys-about twice as high in boys as in girls (p <0.001). Obesity was independently associated with HTN in both genders. Being overweight was a risk factor for HTN. In addition, there was a positive correlation between the SBP/SBP percentile and the BMI Z-score/Nutritional status (NS)in both genders. A high prevalence of physical inactivity was also observed in the adolescents investigated, especially in the girls. On the other hand, more boys than girls were found to be obese.

CONCLUSION

The results of this investigation revealed the need for strategies to prevent and control HTN and its risk factors, especially in Brazil's schools. In addition to the constant surveillance of HTN prevalence and risk factors (in particular, being overweight or obese), information should be distributed to promote beneficial health behaviors among adolescents.

Prevalence of hypertension among adolescents: systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of hypertension among adolescent Brazilian students.

METHODS

A systematic review of school-based cross-sectional studies was conducted. The articles were searched in the databases MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, LILACS, SciELO, Web of Science, CAPES thesis database and Trip Database. In addition, we examined the lists of references of relevant studies to identify potentially eligible articles. No restrictions regarding publication date, language, or status applied. The studies were selected by two independent evaluators, who also extracted the data and assessed the methodological quality following eight criteria related to sampling, measuring blood pressure, and presenting results. The meta-analysis was calculated using a random effects model and analyses were performed to investigate heterogeneity.

RESULTS

We retrieved 1,577 articles from the search and included 22 in the review. The included articles corresponded to 14,115 adolescents, 51.2% (n = 7,230) female. We observed a variety of techniques, equipment, and references used. The prevalence of hypertension was 8.0% (95%CI 5.0-11.0; I2 = 97.6%), 9.3% (95%CI 5.6-13.6; I2 = 96.4%) in males and 6.5% (95%CI 4.2-9.1; I2 = 94.2%) in females. The meta-regression failed to identify the causes of the heterogeneity among studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the differences found in the methodologies of the included studies, the results of this systematic review indicate that hypertension is prevalent in the Brazilian adolescent school population. For future investigations, we suggest the standardization of techniques, equipment, and references, aiming at improving the methodological quality of the studies.

High Blood Pressure in Adolescents of Curitiba: Prevalence and Associated Factors

BACKGROUND

Arterial hypertension is a major public health problem and has increased considerably in young individuals in past years. Thus, identifying factors associated with this condition is important to guide intervention strategies in this population.

OBJECTIVE

To determine high blood pressure prevalence and its associated factors in adolescents.

METHODS

A random sample of 1,242 students enrolled in public schools of the city of Curitiba (PR) was selected. Self-administered questionnaires provided family history of hypertension, daily energy expenditure, smoking habit, daily fat intake, and socioeconomic status. Waist circumference was measured following standardized procedures, and blood pressure was measured with appropriate cuffs in 2 consecutive days to confirm high blood pressure. Relative frequency and confidence interval (95%CI) indicated high blood pressure prevalence. Bivariate and multivariate analyses assessed the association of risk factors with high blood pressure.

RESULTS

The high blood pressure prevalence was 18.2% (95%CI 15.2-21.6). Individuals whose both parents had hypertension [odds ratio (OR), 2.22; 95%CI 1.28-3.85] and those with high waist circumference (OR, 2.1; 95%CI 1.34-3.28) had higher chances to develop high blood pressure.

CONCLUSION

Positive family history of hypertension and high waist circumference were associated with high blood pressure in adolescents. These factors are important to guide future interventions in this population.

Pressão arterial elevada em adolescentes e fatores associados: um estudo de base escolar em Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, 2011

Resumo Objetivos: identificar a prevalência de pressão arterial (PA) elevada e seus fatores associados em adolescentes de Uruguaiana (RS), 2011. Métodos: amostra probabilística composta por adolescentes de 10 a 17 anos de escolas públicas. A PA foi aferida pelo método auscultatório e classificada em normal ou elevada (PA acima do percentil 90). Fatores sociodemográficos, psicossociais, comportamentais, estado nutricional e aptidão física foram analisados. Foi realizada uma análise de regressão logística considerando um modelo teórico hierárquico. Resultados: participaram do estudo 1455 adolescentes (741 do sexo feminino). A prevalência de PA sistólica e PA diastólica elevadas foram de 16,4% (IC95%: 14,4-18,4) e de 18,5% (IC95%: 16,4-20,6), respectivamente. Permaneceram associados à PA sistólica e diastólica elevadas no modelo final: se perceber menos em forma que seus pares (sistólica OR: 2,27; IC95%: 1,22-4,23; diastólica OR: 2,99; IC95%: 1,34-6,70) e o sobrepeso e obesidade (sistólica OR: 9,29; IC95%: 4,89-17,69; diastólica OR: 4,70; IC95%: 2,61-8,45). Ainda, adolescentes do sexo feminino (OR: 1,39; IC95%: 1,02-1,90) e de maior nível socioeconômico (OR: 2,39; IC95%: 1,31- 4,36) têm mais chance de apresentarem PA sistólica elevada. Conclusões: a prevalência de PA elevada encontrada entre os adolescentes é alta. Para sua prevenção, programas de combate ao excesso de peso considerando características sociodemográficas como o sexo e nível socioeconômico devem ser elaboradas

High Blood Pressure among Students in Public and Private Schools in Maceió, Brazil

The prevalence of hypertension in childhood is increasing, and investigation of its distribution is important for planning timely interventions. This study assessed the prevalence of high blood pressure (HBP) and associated factors in students between 9 and 11 years of age enrolled in public and private schools in Maceió, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was performed in a probabilistic sample of students (10.3 ± 0.5 years). The students were selected from a systematic sampling of 80 schools (40 public and 40 private). To maintain similar proportions of students existing in public and private schools in Maceió, 21 and 14 students were randomly selected from each public and private school, respectively. The prevalence ratio (PR) was estimated using Poisson regression. A total of 1,338 students were evaluated (800 from public schools and 538 from private schools). No differences were observed between school types in terms of student age and gender (p > 0.05). The prevalence of obesity (19.9% vs. 9.0%; PR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.67-2.92) and hypertension (21.2% vs. 11.4%; PR = 1.86; 95% CI = 1.45-2.40) were higher in private schools. The association between high blood pressure and type of school (public or private) remained statistically significant even after adjustment for obesity (PR = 1.53; 95% CI = 1.19-1.97).

IN CONCLUSION

(a) students from private schools have higher socioeconomic status, BMI, and HBP prevalence compared to those of public school; (b) among the evaluated students, the prevalence of obesity only partially explained the higher prevalence of high blood pressure among students from private schools. Other factors related to lifestyle of children from private schools may explain the higher prevalence of HBP. This results show the need to implement measures to promote healthy lifestyles in the school environment, since children with HBP are more likely to become hypertensive adults. Therefore, early detection and intervention in children with HBP is an important action for the prevention of hypertension in adulthood.

Ultra-processed food consumption in children from a Basic Health Unit

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the contribution of ultra-processed food (UPF) on the dietary consumption of children treated at a Basic Health Unit and the associated factors.

METHODOLOGY

Cross-sectional study carried out with a convenience sample of 204 children, aged 2-10 years old, in Southern Brazil. Children's food intake was assessed using a 24-h recall questionnaire. Food items were classified as minimally processed, processed for culinary use, and ultra-processed. A semi-structured questionnaire was applied to collect socio-demographic and anthropometric variables. Overweight in children was classified using a Z score >2 for children younger than 5 and Z score >+1 for those aged between 5 and 10 years, using the body mass index for age.

RESULTS

Overweight frequency was 34% (95% CI: 28-41%). Mean energy consumption was 1672.3 kcal/day, with 47% (95% CI: 45-49%) coming from ultra-processed food. In the multiple linear regression model, maternal education (r=0.23; p=0.001) and child age (r=0.40; p<0.001) were factors associated with a greater percentage of UPF in the diet (r=0.42; p<0.001). Additionally, a statistically significant trend for higher UPF consumption was observed when data were stratified by child age and maternal educational level (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The contribution of UPF is significant in children's diets and age appears to be an important factor for the consumption of such products.

Correlation between antrhopometric indicators and blood pressure in adolescents

The objective of the present study was to analyze the correlation between anthropometric indicators and blood pressure of adolescents from Imperatriz, state of Maranhão, Brazil. It is a quantitative cross-sectional study, developed between September and November of 2012 with 218 students. We used a questionnaire to collect data regarding identification, anthropometrics, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Considering blood pressure, we found that 4.6%, 2.4% and 1.3% of the sample were included in the borderline, stage 1 and stage 2 hypertension categories, respectively. Among female participants, body adiposity index and skinfold presented higher mean values than those of their male counterparts. Furthermore, we observed a positive correlation between systolic blood pressure and height (r=0.18), weight (r=0.20) and waist circumference (r=0.17), and a negative correlation between diastolic blood pressure and body adiposity index (r=-0.18). The measures of neck and waist circumference were the only anthropometric measures with positive and simultaneous correlations with systolic blood pressure for both genders.

Neck circumference as predictor of excess body fat and cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents

OBJECTIVE: To verify whether neck circumference can predict cardiovascular risk factors and excess body fat in adolescents. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included male and female adolescents aged 10 to 14 years from Viçosa, Minas Gerais. The following data were collected: anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, percentage of body fat according to dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and levels of fasting glucose, fasting insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein. The anthropometric measurements were used for calculating indices and assessing nutritional status. The receiver operating characteristic curve tested whether neck circumference could predict cardiovascular risk. We also investigated how neck circumference related to the study parameters. The significance level was set at 5% (p<0.05). RESULTS: A total of 260 adolescents were assessed of which 50.4% (n=131) were females, 20.4% (n=53) had excess body weight according to the body mass index-for-age index, and 42.7% (n=111) had excess body fat. Blood pressure (3.9%, n=10) and all biochemical parameters were affected, varying from 1.9% (n=5) for glucose to 65% (n=169) for total cholesterol. Neck circumference correlated with body fat, waist circumference, hip circumference, weight, height, body mass index, waist-to-height ratio, homeostasis model of assessment - insulin resistance, fasting insulin, blood pressure, and high-density lipoprotein (<0.05). It predicted excess body fat and changes in fasting insulin and blood pressure in both sexes, blood glucose and high-density lipoprotein in females, and triglycerides in males (area under the curve >0.5; p<0.05, varying from 0.610 for high-density lipoprotein to 0.817 for blood pressure). CONCLUSION: Neck circumference was capable of predicting excess fat and cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents.

Processed foods aimed at children and adolescents: sodium content, adequacy according to the dietary reference intakes and label compliance

OBJECTIVE: This study determined the sodium content of processed foods aimed at children and adolescents and the adequacy of its content in relation to the dietary reference intakes, and verified label compliance. METHODS: The sodium content of 17 food samples (instant noodles, breaded items, hamburger patties, hot dogs and bologna sausages) was determined by flame photometry and chloride titration, and the results were compared with nutritional data. The labels were checked for compliance with the pertinent laws. RESULTS: According to flame photometry and chloride titration, 13 and 5 products, respectively, had sodium contents that exceeded those reported on the nutrition facts label by more than 20%. All samples had more than 480mg of sodium per serving. The tolerable upper intake level for sodium for children aged 4-8 years was exceeded in 8 instant noodles and 3 breaded items according to flame photometry, and in 9 items according to chloride titration. Regarding the legislation, 5 products used a daily reference intake other than that provided by the legislation to report their percent sodium content per serving. Moreover, the serving sizes of 3 instant noodles, the terminology used in 1 instant noodles and the protein content of 1 breaded item were also not compliant with the legislation. CONCLUSION: The sodium contents in the study samples were high and there was no regard for the legislation.

Prevalência e fatores associados à pressão arterial elevada, seu conhecimento e tratamento em idosos no sul do Brasil

O objetivo foi estimar a prevalência e investigar os fatores associados à pressão arterial elevada, seu conhecimento e tratamento em idosos de Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil. Trata-se de estudo transversal de base populacional e amostra complexa. A pressão arterial elevada foi definida pela medida do nível pressórico ou uso de anti-hipertensivo, ou diagnóstico prévio. A associação dos desfechos com as variáveis independentes foi verificada pela regressão de Poisson. Foram entrevistados 1.705 idosos. Desses, 84,6% apresentaram pressão arterial elevada, 77,5% estavam cientes da doença e 79,1% a tratavam. A prevalência associou-se à dependência funcional e idade e índice de massa corporal (IMC) elevados. Idosos do sexo feminino, idade e IMC elevados, pior percepção em saúde e consulta médica recente estavam mais cientes da doença. O tratamento associou-se a sexo masculino, dependência funcional, pior percepção em saúde e consulta médica recente. Ainda que políticas públicas em saúde devam ser universais, é preciso considerar a desigual distribuição da pressão arterial elevada na população, direcionando-se ações de prevenção, diagnóstico e garantia de tratamento.

Blood pressure-to-height ratio as a screening measure for identifying children with hypertension

The present study evaluated the feasibility and accuracy of the blood pressure-to-height ratio (BPHR) and proposed the optimal thresholds of BPHR for identifying hypertension in Han children aged 7-12 years. In 2011, anthropometric measurements were assessed in a cross-sectional population-based study of 1,352 Han children aged 7-12 years. Hypertension was defined according to the 2004 National High Blood Pressure Education Program Working Group definition (as gold standard). The following equations for BPHR were used: systolic blood pressure-to-height ratio (SBPHR) = SBP (mmHg)/height (cm) and diastolic blood pressure-to-height ratio (DBPHR) = DBP (mmHg)/height (cm). Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed to assess the accuracy of SBPHR and DBPHR as diagnostic tests for elevated SBP and DBP, respectively. After the cutoff points were determined, hypertension was defined by SBPHR/DBPHR (new standard), and the sensitivity and specificity were calculated. The accuracy of SBPHR and DBPHR (assessed by area under the curve) for identifying elevated SBP and DBP was over 0.85 (0.946-1.000). SBPHR cutoff values for elevated SBP were calculated to be 0.76-0.88 mmHg/cm in boys and 0.78-0.90 mmHg/cm in girls. DBPHR cutoff values for elevated DBP were calculated to be 0.51-0.60 mmHg/cm in boys and 0.51-0.58 mmHg/cm in girls. When hypertension was defined by BPHR, the sensitivities were 100 % in boys and 95.0 % in girls. The specificity was 94.3 % in boys and 96.8 % in girls. BPHR is a simple, inexpensive, and accurate index for screening hypertension in Han children.

Iniquidades socioeconômicas na conformação dos padrões alimentares de crianças e adolescentes

OBJETIVO: Identificar e quantificar a influência dos fatores socioeconômicos sobre os padrões alimentares. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal de base populacional com amostra de 1.136 crianças e adolescentes de 7 a 14 anos de idade, de ambos os sexos, matriculados na rede pública de Salvador (BA), Brasil. O consumo alimentar foi medido por meio do questionário qualitativo de frequência alimentar. Os padrões de consumo foram identificados por meio de análise de componentes principais. Para o estudo da influência dos indicadores socioeconômicos na conformação dos padrões alimentares, foram utilizados modelos de regressão quantílica. RESULTADOS: Os padrões alimentares extraídos foram classificados em padrão obesogênico e padrão tradicional. Nos modelos de regressão quantílica, ajustados por faixa etária e por sexo, o menor grau de instrução materna esteve associado negativamente, em níveis significantes, na maioria dos percentis, ao consumo de alimentos que integram o padrão obesogênico. A baixa renda associou-se negativamente aos maiores percentis (p>95). Os dados indicam não haver influência dos indicadores socioeconômicos sobre o consumo de alimentos que integram o padrão tradicional. CONCLUSÃO: Conclui-se que há influência dos fatores socioeconômicos na adesão ao padrão obesogênico de consumo. Esse conjunto de resultados requer a atenção dos gestores públicos para a identificação de um padrão de consumo ocidental, visualizado amplamente nos estudos em que se avaliam padrões de consumo adotados na atualidade pela população brasileira - sobretudo por crianças e adolescentes -, caracterizados por englobar componentes alimentares de risco para as doenças crônicas não transmissíveis.