Contrasting patterns of blood pressure and related factors within a Maori and European population in New Zealand

Contrasting patterns of blood pressure are found for contiguous populations of Maori and Europeans living in New Zealand. Among the 511 participants in this study, approximately one-fifth manifested elevated levels of blood pressure. The Maori adults were found to have generally higher pressure levels compared with the Europeans; however, the opposite relationship appears when Maori and European youth are compared. Consistently lower blood pressure levels are found in the Maori youth. An examination of the trends by age shows a distinct crossover in early adulthood when the Maori begin to manifest blood pressure elevations at a sharply increased rate compared with the Europeans. Differences in body mass are found between the youthful segments of the populations. Body mass index is found to be significantly higher among the Maori youth; nonetheless, the European youth demonstrate higher levels of blood pressure. The study examines possible interactions between blood pressure and possible stress-related factors such as career aspirations in the presence of varying social and academic pressures. For both ethnic groups we find that, relative to the group means, those with the highest academically-related ambitions, demonstrate the highest levels of blood pressure.