Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Other Factors in Relation to Blood Pressure in Japanese-Americans in Hawaii, USA.

Abstract

To examine physical activity at work and during leisure-time as well as other factors related to blood pressure (BP) in Japanese-Americans living in Hilo, Hawaii, USA, we performed a population-based cross-sectional study with a sample of 238 participants aged 42-64 years old. This survey was carried out between 19 February and 1 March 2000 in Hilo. All participants were invited to Hilo Medical Center for a free physical examination and experimental tests including an examination of blood and urine samples. A self-administered health questionnaire was used that included items related to demographics, smoking, alcohol consumption, and habitual physical activity at work and during leisure-time. A summary score of physical activity (PA) was calculated. BP was measured using an automated BP measurement system (Khi machine, VINE Co., Ltd., Kyoto, Japan). The results showed the following. 1) Mean (SD) PA scores at work (WPA) and during leisure-time (LTPA) were 2.9 (0.5) and 2.5 (0.5) in men, and 3.0 (0.5) and 2.4 (0.3) in women, respectively; 2) Pearson correlation analyses (adjustment for age) indicated that WPA and LTPA in men show significant negative associations with SBP and DBP (p<0.05 and p<0.01), while LTPA shows significant negative associations with SBP and DBP in women (p<0.05 and p<0.01). After further adjustment for education, occupation, smoking, and alcohol consumption status, LTPA continued to show significant and negative associations with both SBP and DBP in men (p<0.01) and with DBP alone in women (p <0.01). 3) Hypertensive subjects had significantly lower mean LTPA scores than normotensive men (2.39 vs. 2.61, p<0.05) and women (2.32 vs. 2.45, p<0.05). 4) Body mass index and the ratio of sodium to potassium excretion showed significant and positive associations with SBP and DBP in multiple linear regression analyses. In conclusion, the results further emphasize that the health benefits of LTPA, control of body weight, and reduction in salt intake should continually receive strong attention in population-based high BP control.

Effect of Physical Activity on Controlling Blood Pressure among Hypertensive Patients from Mishref Area of Kuwait

“…Bacon et al reported that diet and exercise, alone or combined, were effective in reducing the BP in subjects with mild hypertension, with improvements similar to drug therapy in patients with higher baseline BP level (22). A study among Japanese-Americans in Hawaii emphasized the health benefits of leisure-time physical activity, control of body weight, and reduction in salt intake in population-based control of high BP (23). The United States National High Blood Pressure Education Program Coordinating Committee has recommended six approaches with proven efficacy for the primary prevention of hypertension.…”

Associação entre atividade física no tempo livre e pressão arterial em adultos

“…In a study conducted in Hawaii, with 238 Asian-Americans aged 42 to 64 5 , it was noted that there was an inverse relationship between LTPA and SBP or DBP, both in men and women. In our study, the relationships between LTPA and SBP/DBP also appear both in males and in females.…”

Impact of Multiple Risk Factor Clustering on the Elevation of Blood Pressure.

“…Although it has been suggested that obese patients exhibiting sympathetic nervous system overactivity during weight loss are resistant to weight loss-induced BP reduction (33), mild aerobic exercise and a mild hypocaloric diet should be effective for reducing not only BP but also multiple cardiovascular risk factors (34). A regular exercise program should also be beneficial for BP control (35).…”