Obesity and the role of lifestyle and dietary intervention in the management of pediatric hypertension

Abstract

As the prevalence of hypertension in children and adolescents increases within the context of the epidemic of obesity, it is important to recognize that while hypertension may be secondary to an underlying disorder, one must not overlook the impact that overweight and obesity have on the condition. While considering options for the overall management of hypertension in the context of overweight and obesity one should incorporate strategies that focus on therapeutic lifestyle changes, as discussed in the Fourth Report on Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents. The strategies that will be discussed in this article include weight loss, exercise and dietary interventions. These treatment strategies require a great deal of motivation on the part of the patient, the patient's family and the patient's care providers. Not all strategies will be effective for every individual, but to some extent all patients being treated for hypertension should incorporate elements of therapeutic lifestyle changes into their treatment regimen.