Children and adolescents with obesity-associated high blood pressure

Abstract

Hypertension and obesity are both common health problems in children and adolescents. More than 17% of children are obese and even more children are overweight. Hypertension, although defined differently in children than in adults, can be detected in 3% to 4% of children, and approximately 30% of obese adolescents have high blood pressure (BP) associated with obesity. Children with high BP and obesity frequently have other risk factors that are components of the metabolic syndrome. Evidence of target organ damage, including left ventricular hypertrophy, is detectable in many children with hypertension and is more commonly found in children with high BP and obesity. Both obesity and hypertension are considered inflammatory conditions. There are some emerging data in the young that show an association of insulin resistance, obesity, and high BP with inflammatory markers. Children and adolescents with hypertension and especially obesity-associated hypertension can be identified and should be evaluated for additional metabolic risk factors. Considering the heightened risk for premature cardiovascular (CV) disease, therapeutic interventions, including lifestyle changes and medications, when indicated, are important for all children and adolescents with obesity-associated hypertension.