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

Abstract 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 0.05). 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.