Hispanic boys had significantly higher BMI-adjusted rates of blood pressure elevation compared to white boys (OR 1.21; 95% CI 1.07 to 1.37; P=0.002), with no overall ethnic differences found for girls.
Observational (n=58,698)
Yes
Are there differences in BMI-adjusted rates of blood pressure elevation by ethnic group among children and adolescents?
Ethnic differences in the prevalence of pediatric blood pressure elevation exist independently of obesity, primarily affecting Hispanic boys and normal-weight Black boys compared to White boys.
Effect estimate: OR 1.21 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.37)
p-value: p=0.002
Large differences in blood pressure (BP) by ethnic group are apparent among adults. There is uncertainty as to whether similar differences by ethnic group exist among children and, if so, the age of onset. BP measurements were obtained from 58 698 children at 78 556 visits using Pediatric Task Force data, a collection of 11 studies with BP data from children and adolescents age 1 to 17 years. Generalized estimating equation methods were used to identify sex-specific differences in body mass index (BMI)-adjusted rates of BP elevation and prehypertension by ethnic group. Significant BMI-adjusted differences in rates of BP elevation were found between Hispanic boys versus white boys (odds ratio: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.37; P=0.002). No overall significant differences were found between black boys versus white boys (odds ratio: 1.03; 95% CI: 0.95 to 1.12; P=0.49); however, there was significant effect modification (P=0.01) with significant differences found for normal-weight boys (BMI: or =85th percentile; OR black versus white: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.78 to 1.05; P=0.20). No overall ethnic group differences in BMI-adjusted rates of hypertension were found for girls. Ethnic differences in prevalence rates of pediatric BP elevation that are not explained by obesity are present, primarily in boys. Whether these differences are attributable to genetic or environmental factors is unknown.
Rosner et al. (2009) conducted an observational in Blood pressure elevation and prehypertension (n=58,698). Hispanic and Black ethnicity vs. White ethnicity was evaluated on BMI-adjusted rates of blood pressure elevation (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.37, p=0.002). Hispanic boys had significantly higher BMI-adjusted rates of blood pressure elevation compared to white boys (OR 1.21; 95% CI 1.07 to 1.37; P=0.002), with no overall ethnic differences found for girls.