[The evidence for higher blood pressures in children and adolescents of the rural interior of Galicia than in other locations in Spain].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze differences in blood pressure levels in children and adolescents in Galicia with those of peers living in other parts of Spain.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study done in a rural area in Galicia.


METHODS
870 boys and girls 6 to 16 years old. They are compared with published data from the RICARDIN study, that includes 10,042 participants selected at the schools in nine centers of Spain (one was the center in Galicia).


METHODS
Standardized methodology and certification procedures were used in Galicia and Spain to measure weight, height, Quételet index, systolic (SBP) and fifth-phase diastolic blood pressure (DBP5) and sexual maturation. Data are presented by sex and age group (1 year) both in Galicia and Spain.


RESULTS
From 11 years and above, girls in Galicia present higher SBP than in Spain. In boys, the difference appears later. Galicia shows higher DBP5 levels than Spain in every age-sex group. In relation to obesity, the differences are of a small magnitude in the Quételet index, again, higher values in Galicia.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first population-based study available that rules out the possibility that the observed differences, previously already suggested, could be attributed to methodological problems. The differences in blood pressure and obesity between Galicia and other areas of Spain, already previously suggested in adults, can be the reflection of differences present from childhood.
Muñiz
J
J
Asociación de Estudios Biomédicos de Galicia (BIOMEGA), La Coruña.
López Rodríguez
I
I
Sánchez
R G
RG
Juane
R
R
Montiel Carracedo
M D
MD
López Quintela
A
A
Pardo Roibás
C
C
Pardo Goás
E
E
Sánchez Pérez
L
L
Castro Beiras
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000886:Anthropometry; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000502:physiology; D013030:Spain
Evidencia de presiones arteriales más elevadas en niños y adolescentes del interior rural de Galicia que en otras localizaciones en España.