High blood pressure rates in children nearly doubled in 20 years, global review finds

"The rate of children and teenagers living with high blood pressure globally has nearly doubled because of a toxic combination of unhealthy diets, mass inactivity and soaring levels of obesity, according to the largest review of its kind. Experts said 114 million children who have developed hypertension even before reaching adulthood were facing potentially deadly and lifelong harm, including cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and a myriad of serious health complications."

"The prevalence of high blood pressure in children and teenagers under 19 has increased to 6.2%, rising from 3.2% in the space of just 20 years. The findings, based on a meta analysis of data from 96 studies involving more than 400,000 children across 21 countries, were published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health journal. The review suggests obesity was a substantial driver of the sharp uptick in childhood hypertension, with nearly 19% of those living with obesity affected by the condition, compared with fewer than 3% in children and teenagers considered a healthy weight."

"The nearly twofold increase in childhood high blood pressure over 20 years should raise alarm bells for healthcare providers and caregivers, said study author Prof Igor Rudan, the director of the Centre for Global Health Research at Edinburgh University's Usher Institute. The study also suggests a further 8.2% of children and teenagers have prehypertension, meaning blood pressure levels are higher than normal but do not yet meet the criteria for hypertension. Prehypertension is especially prevalent during adolescence, with rates reaching 11.8% among teenagers, compared with about 7% in younger children."

High blood pressure among children and teenagers under 19 rose from 3.2% to 6.2% over 20 years, affecting an estimated 114 million young people. A meta-analysis of 96 studies with over 400,000 children across 21 countries identified obesity, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity as major contributors. Nearly 19% of children with obesity have hypertension versus under 3% of healthy-weight peers. An additional 8.2% have prehypertension, with rates peaking at 11.8% in adolescents. Blood pressure increases sharply around age 14, especially in boys, underscoring the need for regular screening during adolescence.

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