Lifestyle, anthropometric, socio-demographic and perinatal correlates of early adolescence hypertension: The Healthy Growth Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Various lifestyle, anthropometric, socio-demographic and perinatal characteristics have been separately associated with elevated blood pressure in children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to simultaneously evaluate all potential risk factors and to identify the most dominant correlates of early adolescence hypertension in a large group of school children 9-13 years old. METHODS AND RESULTS: A cross-sectional study with 1444 schoolchildren 9-13 years old, having full data on lifestyle, anthropometric, socio-demographic and perinatal indices, as well as blood pressure measurements. Early adolescents born large for their gestational age (LGA) (OR, 95% C.I. 0.49 (0.25-0.97)), those with higher levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (OR, 95% C.I. 0.71 (0.53-0.96)) and those of a higher socioeconomic status (SES) (OR, 95% C.I. 0.51 (0.33-0.79)), had lower risk of hypertension, compared with their counterparts with appropriate birth weight, low levels of PA and with low SES respectively, independently of the variables used in the multivariate model. On the other hand, overweight and obese early adolescents (OR, 95% C.I. 2.61 (1.88-3.62)), those with central obesity (OR, 95% C.I. 1.75 (1.12-2.73)) and those having a hypertensive father (OR, 95% C.I. 1.93 (1.20-3.12)) had higher risk of hypertension compared with normal weight early adolescents and those without a family history of hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Among the parameters examined, early adolescence abnormal body weight and central obesity, low PA, non LGA, low SES family and family history of hypertension were found to be independently associated with higher risk of hypertension. The identified correlates of early adolescence hypertension can be used by public health initiatives for early detection and management of this major public health problem, prioritizing early adolescents and families at the highest possible risk for hypertension.

Association of macronutrient consumption with arterial aging in adults without clinically overt cardiovascular disease: a 5-year prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: There is limited and inconsistent evidence regarding longitudinal effects of macronutrients on blood pressure (BP) haemodynamics and arterial aging in populations without cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to prospectively investigate potential association of dietary macronutrients with long-term changes in peripheral and central haemodynamics and arterial stiffness. METHODS: One hundred and fifteen subjects (46.7 ± 8.73 years, 70 women), free of clinically overt CVD were consecutively recruited. Dietary macronutrient intake was evaluated using 3-day food records at baseline. Aortic stiffness and arterial wave reflections were assessed at baseline and in one follow-up visit 5 years later by pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AI), respectively. RESULTS: Individuals with the highest consumption of saturated fatty acids (SFA) presented the highest rate of progression in PWV, AI and aortic diastolic BP (p < 0.05 for all) after adjustment for age, gender, smoking, body mass index, hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, changes in systolic BP and treatment with antihypertensive and hypolipidemic drugs. After similar multivariable adjustments, high consumption of carbohydrates was associated with higher progression of AI, whereas high consumption of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and fibre with lower progression in aortic and peripheral systolic and diastolic BP (p < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: In subjects without CVD, high consumption of SFA is related to accelerated arterial stiffening, while high consumption of MUFA and fibre and low intake of carbohydrates is associated with attenuated progression in blood pressure and arterial wave reflections, respectively. These findings expand current knowledge on the association of macronutrient consumption with arterial aging in the general population.

Prevalence of childhood hypertension and hypertension phenotypes by weight status and waist circumference: the Healthy Growth Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to report for the first time the prevalence of hypertension and its phenotypes in obese children and in children with central obesity in a large sample of Greek children. METHODS: A regionally representative sample of 2263 schoolchildren (50.3% boys) (9-13 years) having full data on blood pressure assessment, physical examination, anthropometric, and physical activity participated in a cross-sectional study in Greece. RESULTS: Prevalence of stage 1 and 2 hypertension, of isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) and of combined systolic or diastolic hypertension, was significantly higher for obese children and children on the 3rd tertile of waist circumference in the total sample, as well as in each gender separately. ISH was the most prevalent phenotype reaching 24.3% in obese children and 17.5% in children on the highest tertile of waist circumference. Obese children and children on the highest tertile of waist circumference had 6.31 times and 3.94 times, respectively, higher likelihood to have abnormal systolic or diastolic blood pressure (SBP or DBP) than their normal-weight counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of hypertension and especially ISH in obese children and in children with central obesity in Greece are among the highest reported in Europe. Future public health initiatives should aim to prevent or tackle several underlying factors related to childhood hypertension, focusing primarily on children with excess body weight.

Eating frequency predicts changes in regional body fat distribution in healthy adults.

Background: Eating frequency (EF) has been associated with generalized obesity. Aim: We aimed to prospectively investigate potential associations of frequency of eating episodes with regional fat layers. Design: EF was evaluated at baseline in 115 subjects free of clinically overt cardiovascular disease (54 ± 9.1 years, 70 women) in a prospective, observational study. Methods: Metabolic parameters known to be associated with dietary factors and anthropometric markers including ultrasound assessment of subcutaneous (Smin) and pre-peritoneal (Pmax) fat and their ratio Smin/Pmax (AFI) were evaluated at baseline and at follow-up, 5 years later. Results: EF at baseline positively correlated with Pmax, even after adjustment for potential confounders. EF above median was also an independent predictor for Pmax (beta coefficient = -0.192, P = 0.037) and AFI (beta coefficient = 0.199, P = 0.049) at follow up. Multivariable linear mixed models analysis demonstrated that subjects with increased EF presented a lower progression rate of Pmax (beta = -0.452, P = 0.006) and a higher progression rate of AFI (beta = 0.563, P = 0.003) over time, independently of age, sex, progression of BMI, energy intake, smoking and changes in parameters of glucose metabolism. Conclusions: High EF is associated with lower progression rate of pre-peritoneal fat accumulation. Future interventional studies should further investigate the clinical utility of these findings.

Association of consumption of dairy products and meat with retinal vessel calibers in subjects at increased cardiovascular risk.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Association of dairy products and meat consumption with macrocirculation is previously described, but such association with microcirculation is poorly investigated. We aimed to test the hypothesis that the consumption of high- and low-fat dairy products as well as red, white, and processed meat is associated with retinal vessel calibers in adults at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS AND RESULTS: In consecutive subjects (n = 181, age: 51.3 ± 12.4 years, 51.4% women) without CVD and diabetes mellitus but with increased CVD risk, we obtained digital left and right retinal images. These images were assessed with validated software to determine central retinal arteriolar and venular equivalents and the arteriolar to venular ratio (CRAE, CRVE, and AVR, respectively). The consumption of dairy products and meat was assessed through 24-h recalls in all volunteers. After adjustment for potential confounders, the following findings were obtained: (i) low-fat milk and yogurt were positively associated with CRAE (b=0.145, p=0.031 left; b=0.141, p=0.038 right) and inversely associated with CRVE (b=-0.155, p=0.026 left; b=-0.146, p=0.041 right); (ii) low-fat cheese was positively associated with CRAE (b=0.164, p=0.011 left and b=0.155, p=0.017 right); and (iii) red meat was inversely associated with CRAE (b=-0.143, p=0.032 left; b=-0.114, p=0.050 right). High-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese or white and processed meat were not found to be associated with retinal vessel calibers. CONCLUSIONS: High consumption of low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese and low consumption of red meat could be beneficial for retinal microvascular health. Prospective studies are needed to verify these findings.

Effects of red wine on endothelial function: postprandial studies vs clinical trials.

AIMS: There are several epidemiological studies suggesting that moderate daily consumption of red wine may reduce cardiovascular risk. Additionally, results from a great number of in vitro studies indicate that constituents found in red wine are responsible for quite a few beneficial effects on endothelial cells. However, comparison of postprandial studies and clinical trials concerning red wine consumption leads to controversial results about its effect on endothelial function and especially flow-mediated dilatation (FMD). Endothelial function is an early indicator of atherosclerosis and vessel damage and at the same time, it is an independent prognostic factor for cardiovascular risk. Therefore, it is very important to investigate the known acute postprandial effects of red wine consumption, which is highly advised by dieticians and doctors, especially in high-risk populations, such as patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). DATA SYNTHESIS: This is a review of studies investigating acute and short-term effects of red wine on endothelial function, as well as relevant in vitro studies. CONCLUSION: Analysis of all data about the acute effects of red wine constituents on endothelial function, is inconclusive and it is obvious that new studies are necessary in order to elucidate this matter. Undoubtedly, one should be very careful in suggesting red wine consumption in high-risk populations, as its acute postprandial effect is not yet clear.

Home and office blood pressure in children and adolescents: the role of obesity. The Arsakeion School Study.

Obesity is related to office blood pressure (OBP). Important discrepancies exist between OBP and home blood pressure (HBP), providing complementary information for the management of hypertension. The association between obesity and HBP has not been investigated in children. The evidence on the role of obesity in the predominance of systolic blood pressure (SBP) over diastolic (DBP) in paediatric hypertension is limited. A total of 778 healthy subjects aged 6-18 years were recruited in this study. OBP and HBP were measured using electronic devices validated in children. Anthropometric measurements were measured and expressed as z-scores for height or age. Among all indices of obesity (z-scores), body mass index (BMI) showed the best association with BP. The effect of obesity (BMI) was more pronounced on: (i) SBP than DBP and (ii) H-SBP than O-SBP (O-SBP: r2=0.09, O-DBP: r2=0.05, H-SBP: r2=0.12, H-DBP: r2=0.06). The prevalence of systolic hypertension was higher than that of diastolic hypertension. This difference was significant only in office readings and independent from obesity (normal weight: 6.3% systolic hypertension versus 1.2% diastolic; obese: 37.9% versus 6.9%, P<0.05 for both). These data imply that in children and adolescents the z-score of BMI is the most appropriate index of the association between BP and obesity. It also suggests that obesity is probably more closely associated with home than office BP. Finally, although obesity appears to affect SBP more than DBP, these results suggest that the predominance of systolic hypertension in children and adolescents might not be only related to obesity but also to the measurement setting (office).