Does leisure‐time physical activity attenuate or eliminate the positive association between obesity and high blood pressure?

Abstract

We examine the joint association of weight status and leisure-time physical activity on high blood pressure in a nationally representative sample of adults and older adults in Brazil. This was a national cross-sectional survey conducted in Brazil in 2013 (Brazilian Health Survey). The sample consisted of 59 402 participants (56% women, aged 18 to 100 years). Outcome was objectively assessed blood pressure. Body mass index (BMI) was objectively measured, while self-reported information on leisure-time physical activity, TV viewing, chronological age, race, educational status, tobacco smoking, sodium consumption, and hypertension medication was obtained using questionnaires. Logistic regression analysis with adjusted odds ratio was conducted to test the joint association of BMI and leisure-time physical activity categories on high blood pressure. Overall, compared to normal weight (NW) and physically active group, the NW/inactive (OR = 1.28; 1.04 to 1.58), overweight/active (OR = 1.38; 1.08 to 1.78), overweight/inactive (OR = 1.89; 1.53 to 2.33), obese/active (OR = 2.19; 1.59 to 3.01) and obese/inactive (OR = 2.54; 2.05 to 3.15) groups were 28% to 254% more likely to have high blood pressure. The attenuation and high blood pressure was greater for women and adults than for men and older adults. Thus, leisure-time physical inactivity and being overweight and obesity were associated with high blood pressure in Brazilian population. Engaging in sufficient level of physical activity during leisure could attenuate, but not eliminate, the negative influence of obesity on high blood pressure in Brazilian adults and older adults.

Physical activity attenuates metabolic risk of adolescents with overweight or obesity: the ICAD multi-country study

“…Overweight and obesity are associated with several negative health outcomes even among adolescents, including cardiovascular diseases [2,18]. Several mechanisms may explain the positive association observed between BMI and metabolic risk.…”

“…Physical activity (PA) is well established as a key determinant in the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity and early metabolic risk factors [2,4]. However, unlike in adults [5,6], the protective effect of PA in attenuating the association between weight status and metabolic risk indicators in youth is unclear. Although PA seems to have a positive influence on inflammatory markers associated with overweight and obesity during adolescence [7], little robust evidence is available in this context.…”

Effect of Isometric Resistance Training on Blood Pressure Values in a Group of Normotensive Participants: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…There is, nevertheless, an association between physical activity and hypertension, as that found in a cohort study from 2018, which showed a 28% chance of developing hypertension if the individual was physically inactive. 21 Likewise, the likelihood of a sedentary person suffering high BP nearly doubles. 21 However, the body of evidence on the effects of isometric resistance training (IRT) in normotensive, prehypertensive, and hypertensive individuals is growing.…”

“…21 Likewise, the likelihood of a sedentary person suffering high BP nearly doubles. 21 However, the body of evidence on the effects of isometric resistance training (IRT) in normotensive, prehypertensive, and hypertensive individuals is growing. 2,4,9,10,13,20 Thus, a systematic review and meta-analysis that included randomized controlled trials in which IRT was performed in normal and hypertensive adults concluded that this form of training has the potential to significantly reduce BP and suggested it as a complementary treatment method.…”

Association between Meeting the Physical Activity Guidelines and Participation in ‘Sports for All’ and the Risk of Hypertension in Community-dwelling Korean Adults

“…This effort focuses on em-phasizing a core theme of "sport for all, play for life" through encouraging population of all ages, genders, and backgrounds to participate in sports. Leisure-time physical activities may contribute to reduced rates of chronic diseases and mortality [9,14,15]. However, there is limited research about the PA patterns of participants in sports activities during leisure time or the health benefits of participation in sports for all.…”