LONGITUDINAL-STUDY OF ADOLESCENT BLOOD PRESSURES, HEALTH HABITS, STRESS AND ANGER

This longitudinal study examined relationships between selected predic tors (stress, anger, health habits) and adolescent blood pressures in 167 students in the Southeast. Clustering of unhealthy health habits a nd worsening of many indicators over time were noted. Stress increased significantly, with girls scoring higher than boys at both testings. ANCOVAS on SBP and DBP change scores revealed change in anger scores a nd in hours of video-game playing contributed to changes in DBP. Body mass index explained the most variance in SBP. Video-game playing was correlated with smoking, poor diet, and greater BMI, indicating need f or further study of this popular teenage pastime.