A total of 295 children (127 White boys, 15 Black boys, 133 White girl
s, and 20 Black girls) participated in reactivity examinations in 1987
(all were in 3rd grade; age, M = 9.1 years), 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992,
and 1993 (all were in 9th grade; age, M = 15.1 years). An analysis of
residualized reactivity change values indicated consistent and signifi
cant ethnicity effects (Blacks greater than Whites) for systolic and d
iastolic blood pressure and for heart rate. Gender effects were also a
pparent for both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (boys greater t
han girls). These data suggest that the transition from childhood to a
dolescence is associated with a significant pattern of ethnic differen
ces in reactivity, although the association of this pattern with the d
evelopment of cardiovascular risk and disease remains to be ascertaine
d.