Body size, composition, and fitness in adolescents with elevated blood pressures.

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Abstract
Increased body size is often found in children with elevated blood pressures, but it is not clear whether this is a result of obesity or early maturity. Similarity, levels of activity and fitness have marked effects on blood pressure and body composition. Height, weight and body composition (skinfold thickness and total body water) as well as heart rate, blood pressure, and O2 consumption at rest and during exercise were measured in 192 ninth grade boys and girls, 102 with persistently elevated blood pressures at or above the 95th percentile and 90 matched controls with blood pressures below the 50th percentile for the entire population of 10,641 Dallas County [Texas, USA] 9th graders tested. Differences in resting blood pressures were characterized by increased supine and recovery heart rates, normal fitness, excess size for age in the absence of obesity, and early maturation. Girls with persistently elevated blood pressures had increased heart rates, decreased fitness and obesity.