*4.2. BP Measurements*

Standardized BP measurements were performed. BP was measured three times in the right arm after a 5-min rest period during which the participant seated using an automated device (OMRON M6W, Omron Healthcare Co., Kyoto, Japan) and cuff for arm circumference 17–22 cm (OMRON CS). The average of the last 2 systolic and diastolic BP was used for the data analyses.

Normal BP was characterized as systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) that were below the 90th percentile for gender, age, and height. Hypertension was diagnosed when average SBP or DBP reached on at least 3 separate occasions ≥95th percentile for gender, age, and height. Average SBP or DBP levels that were within the range of ≥90th percentile and <95th percentile were designated as prehypertension [135].
