Body mass index modifies genetic susceptibility to high systolic blood pressure in adolescents and young adults: results from an 18-year longitudinal study.

This study was intended to clarify the relation between fasting insulin, lipids, and blood pressure in adolescents before the onset of hypertension and to examine the association of these data with similar data obtained in their parents. The participants in this study were 183 adolescents 14 to 18 years old (96 girls) completing a 4-year intervention trial and their parents (164 mothers, 122 fathers). Blood pressure was measured twice on the right arm in a seated position using a random-zero sphygmomanometer. Fasting blood samples were obtained for lipid and insulin analyses. Fasting insulin was significantly correlated with systolic blood pressure in the adolescents and also in the parents before and after adjustment for body mass index. Fasting insulin was correlated significantly with levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL and LDL cholesterol in the adolescents. It was correlated only with triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol in mothers and fathers. After adjustment for body mass index, the correlations between fasting insulin and lipids in the children were not significant. A significant relation was shown between children's systolic blood pressure and mothers' fasting insulin and systolic blood pressure. Significant correlations were found between the children's and fathers' triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol, whereas significant correlations were found for fasting insulin and all lipids between mothers and children, and these remained significant after adjustment for body mass index. These results show (1) a significant relation between fasting insulin and both lipids and systolic blood pressure in adolescents and (2) a significant relation for these factors between adolescents and their parents. Although weight appears to play an important role in this relation during adolescence, genetic and environmental factors other than those mediated via weight may control insulin metabolism within families. The data support a role for studies during early biological development to address these issues.

To determine the association between birth weight and systolic blood pressure (SBP) in male adolescents at the age of 18 years. A prospective study by means of a register linkage between the Swedish Medical Birth Register and the national register for conscript testing before military service. From the birth registry we collected data on birth weight, gestational age, maternal age and parity for 149378 individuals. At conscript testing, subjects were given a physical examination, and weight, height, and mean blood pressure were recorded after 5-10 min rest. Mean+/-SD birth weight was 3543+/-551 g after a mean of 39.7+/-2.0 gestational weeks. Mean+/-SD blood pressure at the conscript testing was 128.8+/-10.9/65.2+/-10.6 mmHg. SBP, but not diastolic blood pressure, differed significantly (test for trend, P< 0.001) between birth weight strata (deciles), with a higher SBP in strata with lower birth weight. A difference in birth weight of 1000 g decreased SBP by 0.8 mmHg. This was most pronounced in subjects with a rapid growth development (n = 1057), coming from the lowest decile of birth weight and reaching to the highest decile of body mass index, in a very consistent manner. The odds ratio for being in the top decile of SBP was 1.55 (95% confidence interval 1.32-1.81) for this growth 'catch-up' group compared with the rest of the cohort. Birth weight was inversely associated with SBP in a large cohort of young men in their late teens. This supports the notion of a programming effect of fetal growth retardation in utero on haemodynamic regulation in early adult life.

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Genetic Risk Prediction for CKD: A Journey of a Thousand Miles

This study investigates sexual maturity as a predictor of resting blood pressures independent of other known predictors, in 179 boys and 204 girls 11-16 years of age from the Heartfelt Study. The sample included youth of African (n = 140), Mexican (n = 117), and European and "other" (n = 126) backgrounds. Sexual maturity was assessed during clinical examination of three standard indicators for each sex. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were higher in children of maturity stages IV and V, compared to stages I-III, in each gender/ethnic group (P < 0.01 in almost all groups). Boys and girls advanced in sexual maturity for their age group, had significantly higher systolic blood pressures (but not diastolic) than the less advanced in linear models that included height, body mass index (BMI), ethnicity, and age as co-predictors. Diastolic blood pressures were predicted by height in boys and by age and the BMI in girls. This analysis, using a very conservative approach, suggests that sexual maturity provides important and independent information on systolic blood pressure in adolescents. Further investigation of its role in 24-hr blood pressures and in blood pressures taken during physical and emotional stress, is recommended.

This study investigates sexual maturity as a predictor of resting blood pressures independent of other known predictors, in 179 boys and 204 girls 11-16 years of age from the Heartfelt Study. The sample included youth of African (n = 140), Mexican (n = 117), and European and “other” (n = 126) backgrounds. Sexual maturity was assessed during clinical examination of three standard indicators for each sex. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were higher in children of maturity stages IV and V, compared to stages I–III, in each gender/ethnic group (P < 0.01 in almost all groups). Boys and girls advanced in sexual maturity for their age group, had significantly higher systolic blood pressures (but not diastolic) than the less advanced in linear models that included height, body mass index (BMI), ethnicity, and age as co-predictors. Diastolic blood pressures were predicted by height in boys and by age and the BMI in girls. This analysis, using a very conservative approach, suggests that sexual maturity provides important and independent information on systolic blood pressure in adolescents. Further investigation of its role in 24-hr blood pressures and in blood pressures taken during physical and emotional stress, is recommended. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 13:227–234, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Association of asthma and its genetic predisposition with the risk of severe COVID-19

Adolescent blood pressure and blood pressure tracking into young adulthood are related to subclinical atherosclerosis: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Young Adults (ARYA) study

Objective: To explore the association between genetic variants of matrix metalloproteinase enzyme 2 (MMP2) gene and the blood pressure of children and adolescents. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in 2016 and included 4 155 children and adolescents in the urban area of Guangzhou. Physical examinations (including body height, weight, and blood pressure), questionnaires (including general characteristics, physical exercise, parental educational level, household income, etc.), and blood sampling were performed. Multivariable linear regression models were used to investigate the associations of MMP2 genetic variations (rs243865, rs7201) and the genetic risk score (GRS) level with standardized blood pressure. Mediating effect of standardized body mass index (BMI) was further assessed by process analysis in the association between GRS level and blood pressure, and potential additive interaction between physical activity and GRS level was analyzed using the product term in the regression model. Results: A total of 4 155 primary and secondary schoolchildren were finally included in the analysis, consisting of 1 401 (33.7%) second grade pupils of primary school, 1 422 (34.2%) first grade pupils of middle school, and 1 332 (32.1%) first-grade students of senior high school. After adjusting for age, sex, parental educational level, and family income, as compared to the rs243865 TT genotype, the CC/CT genotype increased diastolic blood pressure (DBP) by 0.461 standard deviations (SD) (β for dominant model=0.461, 95%CI 0.199-0.723). When compared to the rs7201 CC genotype, the AA/AC genotype showed 0.147 SD higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) (β for recessive model=0.147, 95%CI 0.014-0.279) and 0.171 SD increased DBP (β for recessive model=0.171, 95%CI 0.039-0.304). For each increment of GRS level, SBP and DBP increased by 0.151 SD (β for dominant model=0.151, 95%CI 0.029-0.272) and 0.242 SD (β=0.242, 95%CI 0.120-0.363), respectively. The mediating effect of BMI accounted for 28.3% and 12.6% of the total effect of GRS on SBP and DBP, respectively. After controlling BMI, the direct effect of GRS on DBP remained statistically significant (P<0.001). The insufficient moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (<0.5 h/d) showed a significant interaction with GRS on SBP under additive scale (β for interaction=0.518, 95%CI 0.088-0.949, P=0.018). Conclusions: rs243865 and rs7201 variants in MMP2 gene are associated with the elevated blood pressure of children and adolescents. Obesity may yield a mediation role in the associations, while insufficient physical activity may have a positively additive interaction with MMP2 genetic variants.

Background: Although within the physiological range, overweight and obese adolescents, who are otherwise normal, have blood pressures at the higher side, whereas underweight adolescents have lower blood pressures when compared with the normal weight individuals. Aims and Objectives: (1) To assess the functional status of the cardiovascular system by measuring the heart rate (HR) and blood pressure in adolescents with different body mass indices (BMI) at rest. (2) To illustrate the response of the cardiovascular system to acute isotonic exercise by recording the HR and blood pressure in normal weight, underweight, and overweight adolescents. Materials and Methods: A total of 44 adolescents, aged between 17 and 19 years with different BMI, are the study group. Subjects are categorized into underweight, normal weight, and overweight/obese group based on their BMI. HR and blood pressure were recorded before and immediately after the acute bicycle ergometer exercise test, with three finger test and sphygmomanometer, respectively. Results: Increase in HR, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and pulse pressure (PP) in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were observed immediately after the exercise (P = 0.000) among all the subjects. Before the exercise, SBP, DBP, and mean arterial blood pressure (P = 0.002, 0.008, and 0.003) and after the exercise, SBP and PP (P = 0.007 and 0.037) are significant among underweight, normal weight, and overweight subjects. Conclusion: Overweight/obese adolescents are having higher blood pressure at rest. SBP and PP were increased more in overweight/ obese adolescents after the exercise than the normal weight subjects.

To examine whether birth weight is related to systolic blood pressure during adolescence. Retrospective (comparative) cohort study. The observers who traced and studied the subjects were unaware of their case-control status. 330 subjects were born in Cardiff in 1975-7. Cases who were low birth weight at term (< 2500 g) were matched with controls of normal birth weight (3000-3800 g) at term. Systolic blood pressure measured by random zero sphygmomanometry in the subject's right arm with the subject supine, corrected for size and age. The mean age at examination was 15.7 years. The mean systolic blood pressure of the cases was 105.8 mm Hg and of the controls 107.5 mm Hg. The corrected difference (95% confidence interval) in systolic blood pressure between the cases and controls was 1 mm Hg (-3 to +1 mm Hg; two tailed probability 0.33). Systolic blood pressure in adolescents of low birth weight is not significantly different from that of adolescents of normal birth weights.

Background : Hypertension in children and adolescents can be defined as Systolic Blood Pressure (TDS) / Diastolic Blood Pressure (TDD) on repeated measurements obtained from values above 95 percentiles. The incidence of hypertension in Riskesdas 2013 data for the age group 15-17 years is 5.3%. The prevalence of hypertension in adolescents in the province of Central Java in the 2013 Riskesdas data was 12.8%. Prevention of increasing the value of hypertension prevalence in adolescents can be done with aerobic exercise activities such as jogging. Objective: To determine the effect of giving aerobic exercise activities to changes in blood pressure in adolescents with hypertension. Method: Thistype of research is experimental with Randomized Control Trial Group Design. Sampling was done randomly to get 18 treatment subjects and 18 control subjects. Data collected were age, sex, weight, height, sodium intake, level of physical activity, blood pressure before and after treatment. Test the independent t-test wasused for data differences in blood pressure before and after treatment in both groups and paired t-test to determine changes in blood pressure before and after treatment, whereas the test ANOVA repeated measured is used to determine the effect of aerobic exercise (jogging)on blood pressure sample. Results: There were differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure between the treatment and control groups (p 0.05). There is an effect of giving aerobic exercise activities to decrease systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0,000 and p = 0.003) for each measurement at each meeting. Conclusion: The provision of aerobic exercise activities affects the decrease in diastolic systolic blood pressure in adolescents with hypertension.

Decision letter: Polygenic risk scores for the prediction of common cancers in East Asians: A population-based prospective cohort study

Assessment of a causal relationship between body mass index and atopic dermatitis

To assess the association between the consumption of caffeinated beverages and blood pressure in African American and white adolescents. This study was part of ongoing research examining stress-induced hemodynamic responses in adolescents. African American and white adolescents (n = 159) selected foods and beverages for a 3-day sodium-controlled diet. Caffeine in these foods was used to stratify participants into 3 categories (0-50 mg/d, >50-100 mg/d, and >100 mg/d). Before menu selection, blood pressure readings were obtained. A general linear model (multiple regression with both categorical and continuous variables) was developed to assess the effects of race, category of caffeine intake, and interaction of race and caffeine intake on systolic and diastolic blood pressure controlling for sex and body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared). The association between systolic blood pressure and caffeine category varied by race (P =.001). African Americans consuming more than 100 mg/d of caffeine had higher systolic blood pressure readings than the groups consuming 0 to 50 mg/d (mean difference, 6.0 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.3 to 9.7) or more than 50 to 100 mg/d (mean difference, 7.1 mm Hg; 95% CI, 3.4 to 10.7). The effect on diastolic blood pressure was less pronounced (P =.08). The diastolic blood pressure of the group consuming more than 100 mg/d was 3.7 mm Hg (95% CI, 0.41 to 7.0) higher than the group consuming more than 50 to 100 mg/d and was not statistically different from the group consuming 0 to 50 mg/d (mean difference, 2.4 mm Hg; 95% CI, -0.9 to 5.8). There was no evidence that the association between diastolic blood pressure and caffeine intake varied by race (P =.80). For adolescents, especially African American adolescents, caffeine intake may increase blood pressure and thereby increase the risk of hypertension. Alternatively, caffeinated drink consumption may be a marker for dietary and lifestyle practices that together influence blood pressure. Additional research is needed owing to rising rates of adolescent hypertension and soft drink consumption.