Does the type of sedentary behaviors influence blood pressure in adolescents boys and girls? A cross-sectional study

The aim of this study was to analyze the association between different sedentary behaviors and high blood pressure in adolescent boys and girls. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 6,264 Brazilian adolescents (14 to 19 years old). Demographic data, obesity indicators and blood pressure, were evaluated. Time spent in the sedentary behaviors (television viewing, playing video games, using the computer, non-screen sitting and, total time sitting) were also assessed. The girls spent more time watching television than boys, whereas boys spent more time using computers and video games (12.7% vs. 7.4%, p < 0.001) than girls. Boys who watched more than four hours of television presented higher odds to give high blood pressure after adjustments for physical activity level, body mass index, age and educational level of mother (OR = 2.27, p < 0.001). In girls, we did not find a relation between sedentary behaviors and high blood pressure (p > 0.05). Television viewing time is associated with high blood pressure only boys. So, reduce this sedentary behavior, stimulating physical activities, might be essential to health, principally for male adolescents.