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Influence of Physical Activity on Blood Pressure in Children With Overweight/Obesity: A Randomized Clinical Trial
María José Aguilar-Cordero1,2, Raquel Rodríguez-Blanque1, Ximena Leon-Ríos1
1Research Group CTS367, Nursing Department, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
Insights
Physical activity and nutritional advice significantly reduced high blood pressure (BP) in overweight or obese children. This intervention is key for managing childhood hypertension and promoting healthier lifestyles.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Cardiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood hypertension (HT) prevalence is rising due to factors like poor diet and sedentary behavior.
- HT incidence is significantly higher in overweight/obese children (up to 68%) compared to well-nourished peers (10.4%).
- Childhood obesity is a critical risk factor for developing hypertension.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of physical activity on blood pressure (BP) in overweight and obese children.
- To determine if a combined physical activity and nutritional intervention can mitigate hypertension risks in pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- A randomized clinical trial involving 98 overweight/obese children in Granada, Spain.
- Intervention group received physical activity and nutritional advice; control group received only nutrition education.
- Blood pressure was measured using percentiles to account for normal growth variations.
Main Results:
- Before intervention, 85.7% of the intervention group had high BP (≥95th percentile).
- Following the intervention, this figure dropped significantly to 16.13% (P = 0.001).
- Physical activity combined with nutritional guidance proved effective in lowering BP.
Conclusions:
- Physical activity, alongside nutritional advice, is an effective strategy for reducing blood pressure in overweight/obese children.
- This approach helps manage childhood hypertension, a growing public health concern.
- Using age, weight, and height percentiles is a reliable method for BP assessment in children.
Background:
The prevalence of childhood hypertension (HT) is growing exponentially, influenced by environmental factors such as foods with high salt content, sedentary lifestyles, and poor-quality food. The incidence of HT is about 10.4% in well-nourished children, but when associated with obesity or overweight, this can rise to 38% and 68%, respectively. To assess the influence of physical activity on the blood pressure (BP) of children who are overweight or obese.
Methods:
This randomized clinical trial was carried out in Granada (Spain), from October 2015 to June 2016. The sample consisted of 98 children, all of whom were overweight or obese. The intervention group (IG) (n = 49) practised physical activity and received nutritional advice, while the control group (n = 49) only received theoretical-practical sessions on nutrition. Body composition was measured, a nutritional assessment was made and BP was determined (in percentiles, to avoid the misclassification of children who are located at the extremes of normal growth).
Results:
Before the physical activity intervention, 85.7% of the children in the IG (with overweight/obesity) were in the 95th or higher percentile for BP, a situation representative of high BP (HT). However, by the end of the study period, this value had decreased significantly (P = 0.001), to 16.13%.
Conclusions:
Childhood obesity is a risk factor for HT. Physical activity, together with nutritional advice, effectively reduces BP in children who are overweight or obese. The use of percentiles, according to age, weight, and height, is an effective means of measuring BP.
Clinical Trials Registration:
This study is registered at https://www.clinicaltrials.gov (identifier NCT02779647).
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