Abstract
Objective: Diet habits and physical activity during childhood have been proved as factors of elevated blood pressure. This study aimed at investigating the distribution of diet habits and behavior and relationship with elevated blood pressure (EBP) among Uygur, Han and Kazak ethnic school-aged children. Design and methods: A school-based survey was conducted in a random sample of Uygur, Han and Kazak children and adolescents. Anthropometrics and blood pressure were measured by standard protocols and classified by the Chinese national cut-offs. Subjects were required to complete the questionnaire for collecting diet and physical activity exposures. The ethnic difference in distribution of diet and physical activity and risk factors and their relationship with EBP were analyzed among 5427 subjects who provided full data. Results: The prevalence of EBP was 24.8% in Han, 11.3% In Uygur and 16.9% in Kazak children (P<0.001). The consumption of cake, milk, ice-cream, yogurt and vegetable and sedentary activity were significantly associated with EBP in the 3 ethnic pediatric populations. Han children ate ice-cream, cake and milk more common than did Uygur and Kazak children, e.g. 40.8% of Han children ate ice-cream almost daily vs 19.9% in Uygur vs 29.2% in Kazak children. Han spent more time on sedentary activities daily than the other ethnics (over 4 h studying every day: Han 22.5% vs Uygur 10.2% vs Kazak 19.1%). Uygur and Kazak children ate yogurt more often than Han did. The vegetable consumption in Kazak and Uygur children was more common than Han counterparts (almost daily: Han 17.0%, Uygur 23.3%, Kazak 24.9%). Conclusion: Risk factors of EBP, such as often eating cake, milk, ice-cream, yogurt and vegetables, and physical inactivity distribute differently among Uygur, Han and Kazak children. Healthy diets habits and less sedentary activity are encouraged among children to reduce risk of EBP and obesity.
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