Impact of physical activity on arterial hypertension in overweight and obese adolescents

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity has been considered an important risk factor for systemic arterial hypertension, while physical activity is seen as a protective agent against this disease. However, in groups of adolescents presenting excessive body weight, there seem to be few investigations focusing on such associations. Objective: To analyze the association between different levels of physical activity on systemic arterial hypertension in a sample composed of overweight and obese adolescents. Methods: The physical activity practices and arterial pressure of 181 overweight and obese adolescents were measured and a Poisson regression model was applied to determine the impact of physical activity on systemic arterial hypertension. Result: There was no association between physical activity practices and arterial hypertension in the sample group investigated (p>0.05). Conclusion: In adolescents with overweight and obese, physical activity was not characterized as being a protective factor in relation to systemic arterial hypertension.