[Arterial pressure and puberty: relation to height-weight characteristics]

The study of 315 boys and 497 girls, aged 10 to 18 years, showed that blood pressure rises during puberty. Growth in height seems to explain this increase better than sexual maturation, at least in boys. These results confirm the significance of associating blood pressure and height in adolescence. The correlation coefficients between blood pressure, weight indices (weight for height, Quetelet's index, skinfold thickness), weight components (lean body mass, fat body mass) indicate that blood pressure is to a large extent determined by lean body mass (mainly in boys), according to the marked development of the osteomuscular system. We are of the opinion that this should be considered when interpreting blood pressure level in adolescents.