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Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
A comparison between overweight cutoff points for detection of high blood pressure in adolescents
Diego G D Christofaro1, Rômulo A Fernandes, Marcos D Polito
1Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil. ddcleite@yahoo.com.br
Objectives:
To evaluate the accuracy of three different cutoff points for the detection of high blood pressure in adolescents, given the strong relationship between overweight and high blood pressure levels.
Methods:
A total of 1,021 adolescents of both sexes were enrolled in the study, selected at random from public and private schools in Londrina, Brazil. Their body weight was measured using a digital balance, and their height with a portable stadiometer with a maximum extension of 2 meters. Arterial blood pressure was measured using an automatic apparatus. The capacity of body mass index to detect high blood pressure was gauged using ROC curves and their parameters (sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve).
Results:
The cutoff points proposed in a Brazilian standard exhibited greater accuracy (males: 0.636+/-0.038; females: 0.585+/-0.043) than the cutoff points proposed in an international (males: 0.594+/-0.040; females: 0.570+/-0.044) and a North-American standard (males: 0.612+/-0.039; females: 0.578+/-0.044).
Conclusions:
The Brazilian proposal offered greatest accuracy for indicating high blood pressure levels.
Related Concept Videos
Blood Pressure
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure
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Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.
Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(one-step method)
Prepare for the Procedure:
Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(two-step method)