Blood Pressure, Body Composition, and Physical Fitness in Chilean Schoolchildren

Humberto Peña-Jorquera; Gastón Pavez-San Martin; Melisa Pérez-Tapia; Aixa Gálvez-Guzmán; Gisele Pinheiro; Rafaela Rosário; Maiara Cristina Tadiotto; Neiva Leite; Caroline Brand

Authors

Humberto Peña-Jorquera Escuela de Nutritión y Dietética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Andrés Bello, Viña del Mar, Chile. https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4572-7364
Gastón Pavez-San Martin IRyS Group, Physical Education School, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile. https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6100-443X
Melisa Pérez-Tapia IRyS Group, Physical Education School, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9940-507X
Aixa Gálvez-Guzmán IRyS Group, Physical Education School, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile. https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3994-057X
Gisele Pinheiro IRyS Group, Physical Education School, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4224-0868
Rafaela Rosário 3School of Nursing, University of Minho, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6986-0007
Maiara Cristina Tadiotto Research Nucleus on the Quality of Life, NQV, Federal University of Paraná, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6953-0793
Neiva Leite Research Nucleus on the Quality of Life, NQV, Federal University of Paraná, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4752-6697
Caroline Brand IRyS Group, Physical Education School, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5624-3592

Keywords:

hipertensión, actividad física, infancia , escuela, salud

Abstract

Objective: To describe blood pressure (BP), body composition, and physical fitness in schoolchildren from the Valparaíso region, comparing outcomes between normal weight and overweight/obese groups.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 150 children aged 6–10 years from public schools in Valparaíso, Chile. BP classification followed the Clinical Practice Guideline for Screening and Management of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents. Body mass index (BMI) was categorized using the WHO growth reference. Physical fitness was assessed via handgrip strength, standing long jump, and the 20 m shuttle run test.

Results: The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 58.7%. Overweight/obese children presented higher systolic BP than their normal-weight peers (p =0.005), while diastolic BP showed no significant difference (p =0.073). Elevated BP was frequent in both systolic (22%) and diastolic (32.7%) measures, with lower prevalence in the normal-BMI group. Adequate upper-body strength was observed in 52.0%, with a higher proportion in the overweight/obese group. In contrast, 45.3% met the criteria for adequate lower-body strength, and only 37.3% achieved adequate cardiorespiratory fitness, both of which were more prevalent among normal-weight children.

Conclusion: Overweight/obese children showed higher systolic BP and less favorable fitness profiles, reinforcing the need for early monitoring in school settings.

Keywords: hypertension, physical activity, childhood, school, health