Abstract
Blood pressures of 13- and 14-yr.-old girls (N = 116) were studied in relationship to factors in physical examination, personal health history, anxiety scores, activity patterns, and diet patterns. Relationships were analyzed using Pearson correlations and independent t tests. A longitudinal comparison over 6 mo. was made using a subsample of 61 girls. Weight and height were the highest correlates of all blood-pressure values. Family history factors were positively related to blood-pressure values. Blood pressures varied at significant levels with the menstrual cycle. Anxiety scores and salt intake had varied relationships with blood pressures that showed some parallels to research in the hemodynamic aspects of hypertension. Activity patterns were not consistently related. Carbohydrate intake was positively related to increased blood pressures. Dairy products had negative relationships with diastolic blood pressure. Further research of hypertension in adolescents is indicated.
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