Childhood Obesity and Hypertension

Abstract

The epidemic of obesity along with hypertension (HTN) and cardiovascular disease is a growing contributor to global disease burden. The prevalence of HTN and pre-hypertension in children has been rising steadily over the decades to nearly 4% and 10% respectively [1,2]. Paediatric hypertension is one of the strongest predictor of adult hypertension, which increases the cardiovascular mortality risk in adults [3]. Obesity in childhood is found to be associated with hypertension, dyslipidemia, impaired glucose metabolism and other metabolic and physical consequences like left ventricular hypertrophy, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, obstructive sleep apnea, orthopedic problems, and psychosocial problems. A literature review found that the risk of adult obesity is at least twice as high for obese children as for non-obese children, as about a third of obese preschool children were obese as adults, and about half of obese school-age children were obese as adults [4]. Adults who have been obese as children may have an even greater prevalence of risk factors for CVD, including hypertension and dyslipidemia, compared with those who had normal weight as children. It has also been shown that childhood obesity and central adiposity increased the risk for the metabolic syndrome in adulthood [5].