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Obesity linked to hypertension in US children

High blood pressure levels in US children and adolescents is increasing at the same rate as obesity, according to a new study.

The US researchers published their findings in the American Heart Association journal Circulation.

The main findings

• Blood pressure in children has been increasing since 1988.
• Abdominal obesity (waist measurement) has been increasing since 1988.
• Males have a greater prevalence of high blood pressure than females.

The researchers concluded, "High blood pressure and pre-high blood pressure in children and adolescents are on the rise. These new findings have implications for the cardiovascular disease public health burden. They reinforce the urgent call for early prevention of obesity and high blood pressure."

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