This dramatic rise is rooted in today’s lifestyle challenges, including soaring childhood obesity, sedentary habits, and unhealthy diets high in salt and sugar. The comprehensive meta-analysis reviewed 96 studies involving over 443,000 young individuals across 21 countries, highlighting not only diagnosed hypertension but also the prevalence of pre-hypertension, where blood pressure is elevated but not yet at clinical levels. Importantly, blood pressure tends to spike sharply during early adolescence, peaking around age 14, especially in boys. Moreover, when blood pressure measurements taken at home or via ambulatory monitoring are considered, rates of sustained hypertension climb even higher.
Obesity stands out as the strongest risk factor, with nearly 19% of obese children experiencing hypertension compared to fewer than 3% of their healthy-weight peers. Excess weight triggers insulin resistance and vascular changes, increasing workload on the heart. The study also underscores that many cases remain undetected during standard clinic visits due to "masked hypertension," where high blood pressure shows only outside clinical settings.
This growing epidemic in young populations foreshadows a future surge in adult cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Experts emphasize the urgent need for regular blood pressure screening, especially for at-risk youths, combined with lifestyle interventions promoting healthier diets, more physical activity, and reduced salt consumption. Policy actions curbing unhealthy food marketing and improving school nutrition are vital.
If addressed promptly, these measures can alter the trajectory, protecting today’s children from becoming tomorrow’s early-onset cardiac patients.
REFERENCE: Zhou, Jiali et al.; Global prevalence of hypertension among children and adolescents aged 19 years or younger: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis; The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, Volume 0, Issue 0; doi: 10.1016/S2352-4642(25)00281-0
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