A global analysis shows that more than 114 million children and adolescents suffer from hypertension, almost double the number 20 years ago, an alarming increase attributed to obesity, unhealthy diets and low levels of physical activity.
Unhealthy food, one of the main factors PHOTO: Shuterstock
Experts said the 114 million children who develop high blood pressure even before they reach adulthood face potentially serious and lifelong damage, including cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and numerous other serious medical complications.
The prevalence of hypertension in children and adolescents under 19 increased to 6.2% from 3.2% in just 20 years. The findings, based on a meta-analysis of data from 96 studies involving more than 400,000 children in 21 countries, were published in the journal The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, writes The Guardian.
Obesity, the main driver of hypertension in children
The review suggests obesity was a “substantial determining factor” of the sharp increase in hypertension among children, with almost 19% of those with obesity being affected by the condition, compared to less than 3% of children and adolescents of normal weight.
“Almost doubling of hypertension in children in 20 years should raise alarm bells for health professionals and carers” said study author Prof. Igor Rudan, director of the Center for Global Health Research at the University of Edinburgh’s Usher Institute.
The study also suggests that a further 8.2% of children and adolescents have prehypertension, meaning blood pressure levels are higher than normal but do not yet reach the threshold for hypertension.
Prehypertension is particularly prevalent in adolescence, with rates of 11.8% among adolescents compared with about 7% among younger children.
Doctors said blood pressure rises sharply in early adolescence, peaking around age 14, especially in boys. This underscores the crucial importance of regular screening during these crucial years, they said.
Children and adolescents with prehypertension are more likely to develop full-blown hypertension. “This sharp increase in hypertension in children is deeply concerning and is largely driven by the rise in childhood obesity — a completely preventable condition”said Prof Steve Turner, President of the Royal College of Paediatricians and Child Health.
Long-term impact: major heart risks
According to him, these findings reflect what pediatricians see on the front line. Children present not only with hypertension, but also with other serious conditions related to obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, asthma and mental health problems.
“We know that persistent hypertension is a risk factor for early death from damage to the cardiovascular system and other organs. Healthy children become healthy adults, but with trends like these, I fear that without urgent action we are heading for a public health emergency.” says Prof. Steve Turner.
The rate of children and adolescents with hypertension globally nearly doubled between 2000 and 2020, according to the meta-analysis.
In 2000, approximately 3.2% of children had hypertension, but by 2020, the prevalence had increased to over 6.2% among children and adolescents under 19 years of age, affecting 114 million young people worldwide.
Study author Dr. Peige Song, from Zhejiang University’s School of Medicine, said the increase in cases was “dlargely due to lifestyle factors such as unhealthy diets, decreased physical activity and increasing prevalence of childhood obesity”.
“Hypertension in children and adolescents has become a substantial public health problem”, she said, adding that parents have a critical role in preventing and managing high blood pressure in children.
“Promoting healthy habits, such as a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while minimizing salt and sugar intake, can substantially reduce the risk of hypertension. Encouraging regular physical activity and limiting sedentary behaviors, such as excessive screen time, are equally crucial.” said Dr. Paige Song.
For families with a history of hypertension, regular monitoring of children’s blood pressure is strongly recommended.
Prof Bryan Williams, scientific and medical director at the British Heart Foundation, who was not involved in the study, said he was very concerned by the increase.
“Childhood high blood pressure often persists into adulthood, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke later in lifeeh,” Williams claims.
