**1. Introduction**

Hypertension (HTN) is a global health problem because of its high prevalence with concomitant risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), kidney disease, and other co-morbidities [1]. Although HTN like many other CVD risk factors was previously considered an adult health problem, recent evidence has shown that it is increasingly becoming a pediatric health problem with its prevalence tracking into adulthood [2, 3]. Therefore, if youth at risk of this disorder are identified early, proactive steps can be initiated to enhance better health prospects in later life.

Previous studies in the pediatric population have identified HTN as a potent antecedent of CVD and its rising prevalence is noticeable not only in industrialized countries but more so in developing countries including those in Africa [3–5]. It has been documented that elevated blood pressure (BP) in adolescence can be associated with target organ damage, renal failure, and adverse changes in sympathetic

nervous system, all of which can negatively impact cardiac output with resultant imbalance in cardiovascular homeostasis [2]. Although the specific etiology of HTN remains nebulous, high levels of body fat and low physical activity (PA) or fitness level have been found to be major predisposing factors [6]. Several studies in youth have demonstrated positive relationships between body fat and resting blood pressure [4, 7]. For instance, a cross-sectional study [7] found fatness as well as fitness to be independent predictors of resting blood pressure. There is increasing evidence linking muscle fitness including muscle power to cardiovascular health in youth [8, 9]. A population-based study of American adolescents [10] documented an independent association between lower body muscle strength and cardiometabolic risk including blood pressure.

Despite the emerging evidence linking muscle fitness to health outcomes in youth, studies examining the independent association of lower body muscle power (here-in referred to as LP or vertical jump power-VJP) and fatness with BP are exiguous. Further, the interactive effect of fatness and LP on BP needs to be explored. The present study aimed to examine the independent and combined associations of BMI and VJP with resting BP among in-school adolescents in Benue State, North central Nigeria. Specifically, the study determined the independent and joint associations of BMI and VJP with resting BP among adolescent girls and boys. The study further examined the relationships among BMI, VJP, and BP to determine population-specific thresholds for BMI and VJP for predicting risk of HTN among participants. The study also examined variations in fatness categories by VJP levels. A better understanding of these relationships will help inform more effective intervention programs that could lead to improved LP with a concomitant reduction in disease risk among youth including the overweight. Thus, it was hypothesized that LP would reduce BP values regardless of fatness levels.
