Blood pressure in Tokelauan children in two contrasting environments

To assess the influence of the environment on blood pressure levels in children, the patterns of blood pressure in Tokelauan children resident in the isolated atolls of Tokelau and in New Zealand are compared. Blood pressure was measured twice by one observer using a random zero sphygmomanometer on 571 (96% response) Tokelauan children resident on the atolls and on 856 (95% response) Tokelauan children resident in New Zealand. After adjusting for cuff size and controlling for age, weight and height, the systolic blood pressure of New Zealand resident children was found to be significantly higher in boys of all ages and in girls under the age of eight. The difference does not appear to be due to selective migration; the association of the heavier weight of the New Zealand resident children with part of this blood pressure difference may be important from a preventive viewpoint.