Childhood Hypertension Epidemic Sweeps the Globe

A concerning global trend has emerged over the past two decades, as the number of children and young people with high blood pressure has almost doubled. According to a new study published in the Lancet medical journal, the rate of this condition, often referred to as the "silent killer," increased from around 3% in 2000 to over 6% in 2020 among those under the age of 19.

The research, which analyzed data from 96 previous studies, also found that nearly one-in-ten youngsters had high blood pressure that was difficult to detect, suggesting the true prevalence could be even higher. Public health experts have long warned about the potential health consequences of rising obesity levels among children and adolescents, and the new findings underscore these concerns.

The World Health Organization estimates that the proportion of 5-to-19-year-olds who are overweight has risen from just 8% in 1990 to a fifth in 2022. This trend is not limited to wealthy nations, as the issue has now spread to poorer regions in Africa and Asia as well. Increasing living standards and affluence have led more people to adopt unhealthy diets rich in fast food and calories, coupled with less active urban lifestyles.