The accuracy of national body fat cutoff levels in the prediction of elevated blood pressure among Brazilian male adolescents.

Objective: To assess viability of the development of percentage body fat cutoffs based on blood pressure values in Brazilian adolescents.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 358 male subjects from 8 to 18 years old. Blood pressure was measured by the oscilometric method, and body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Results: For the identification of elevated blood pressure, these nationally developed body fat cutoffs presented relative accuracy. The cutoffs were significantly associated with elevated blood pressure [odds ratio = 5.91 (95% confidence interval: 3.54-9.86)].

Conclusions: Development of national body fat cutoffs is viable, because presence of high accuracy is an indication of elevated blood pressure.