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Childhood Hypertension Doubles Globally in 20 Years
13 Nov
Summary
- Hypertension in children and teens nearly doubled from 2000 to 2020
- Obesity is a major driver, with 19% of obese youth having high blood pressure
- Unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, and stress are key triggers
According to a recent global study, the prevalence of high blood pressure in children and adolescents has nearly doubled from 2000 to 2020, affecting an estimated 114 million young people worldwide. The research, published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, highlights the alarming rise of this health issue among the youth.
The study found that obesity is a substantial driver of the increase in childhood hypertension, with nearly 19% of children and adolescents with obesity having high blood pressure - eight times higher than those of healthy weight. Other key triggers include poor dietary choices, sedentary lifestyles, stress, and irregular sleep patterns.
Doctors are sounding the alarm, warning of dangerous blood pressure spikes in teens. A 17-year-old boy in India recently experienced a hypertensive crisis, with his blood pressure reaching a life-threatening 200/120 mmHg. After extensive medical tests, doctors attributed his condition to obesity, addiction to fast food, and a sedentary lifestyle.
Experts emphasize the need for improved screening and prevention efforts to address this growing health crisis. They call for standardized blood pressure measurement protocols and increased data collection to better capture the true burden of childhood hypertension, particularly in developing regions like India.
