ABSTRACT Objective To estimate the prevalence of hypertension in participants of the Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents in Federal District, Brazil, and to investigate the factors related to lifestyle and nutritional status. Methods Lifestyle, economic, and demographic variables were obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. Anthropometric data and blood pressure measurements were collected according to a standardized protocol. Descriptive statistics was used to know the distribution of the investigated parameters in relation to the outcome. The association between hypertension and the variables of interest was investigated by hierarchical multivariate analysis using Poisson regression, considering p<0.05. Results We evaluated 2,646 adolescents with a mean age of 14.9 years. The prevalence of hypertension was 8.0% (95%CI 6.8-9.3). Studying in schools in the rural region (PR=2.1; 95%CI 1.4-3.3), having obesity (PR=4.0; 95%CI 2.5-6.3), male sex (PR=2.2; 95%CI 1.6-3.0) and age over 15 years (PR=1.4; 95% CI 1.0-1.9) were factors associated with a higher prevalence of hypertension. School feeding consumption was a protective factor (PR=0.7; 95%CI 0.6-0.9). Conclusions The prevalence of arterial hypertension was 8% and was associated with male sex, age at least 15 years, attendance in rural schools, and obesity. The consumption of school feeding was a protective factor.