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Childhood Hypertension Epidemic Sweeps Across the Globe
13 Nov
Summary
- Childhood hypertension prevalence doubled from 2000 to 2020
- Obesity is a major contributing factor, with 8 times higher rates
- Prehypertension also surged, reaching 19% in children with obesity
A concerning global trend has emerged over the past two decades: the prevalence of high blood pressure in children has nearly doubled. According to a comprehensive analysis of 96 studies involving over 400,000 young people across multiple countries, the percentage of boys with confirmed hypertension increased from 3.40% to 6.53% between 2000 and 2020, while for girls the rise was from 3.02% to 5.82%.
The researchers found that the highest prevalence was observed in children and adolescents with obesity, followed by those who were overweight. However, even those of normal weight were not immune, as the study showed a significant increase in hypertension across all weight groups. Prehypertension, a precursor to full-blown high blood pressure, was also alarmingly common, reaching nearly 19% among youth with obesity.
Experts warn that this trend poses a serious global health concern, with potential for significant economic and medical impacts on communities worldwide. While the exact causes are not entirely clear, the strong link to childhood obesity suggests that addressing this epidemic could be crucial in stemming the rise of hypertension in the younger generation.
