Adolescent Obesity and Hypertension

Abstract

Although controversy exists as to the role that insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia play in the pathogenesis of hypertension there are ample data from both obese and nonobese subjects strongly suggesting that selective insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, and essential hypertension are directly related. It is therefore mandatory that the evaluation of both lipid profile and insulin sensitivity needs to be made in all patients with essential hypertension. In addition it appears that childhood obesity is the single marker of the child at risk for the development of cardiovascular disease later in life.