Hypertension in relation to nutritional status, physical activity and ethnicity in Chilean children aged 6 to 13

Introduction: Obesity and physical inactivity are two main risk factors for developing hypertension (HTA) in adulthood. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding the effect of this risk factor on HTA in childhood. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between nutritional status, physical activity levels and ethnicity with hypertension in scholar aged between 6 and 13 years. Methods: 418 school children from European (n = 311) and Mapuches (n = 107) background were invited to take part in the study. Height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure were measured with standardised protocols. Results: No significant differences were found for IMC, nutritional status, blood pressure between European and Mapuches children. However, the prevalence of pre-HTA (21.3% vs. 11.1%) and HTA (28.9% vs. 18.6%) were significantly higher in Mapuches than European. Similarly, Mapuches are more likely to develop pre-HTA and HTA than Europeans children [OR: 1.92 (1.19 a 3.06) p < 0.010]. The prevalence of HTA was associated with BMI and physical activity, but not differences were found between ethnic groups. Conclusions: The risk of developing pre-HTA or HTA is higher in Mapuches than European children, and this risk increase with higher levels of BMI and lower levels of physical activity.