The increase in high blood pressure prevalence was greater among obese children than in children with lower BMIs. Prevalence of high blood pressure increased 4.2 percent in overweight children, 3.5 percent in obese children and 2.6 percent in normal weight children between NHANES III and NHANES IV. Similar patterns were seen for both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
The increase in high blood pressure follows 10 years after an increase in body mass index years in the children.
"The HBP trends in youth mirrors adult trends in hypertension," said Din-Dzietham. "After NHANES II, BMIs start climbing like we're going up Mt. Everest."
Children started eating more fat, eating larger servings and exercising less. Television is often a big factor, as are fewer hours of physical education at school. Parents need to be educated about the importance of body mass index as a ratio of weight over height and not just consider weight.
"Intervention on weight control needs to start early. We know that children with high blood pressure develop signs of heart disease early," she said.
"Weight is the main culprit, and obesity is turning into a major public health risk factor."
Co-authors are Yong Liu, M.S., Rakalle Collins, Ph.D., Gary Gibbons, M.D., Sharon Davis, M.Ed., M.P.A, Ph.D. and Tonya Stancil, Ph.D.
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Contact: Carole Bullock
carole.bullock@heart.org
214-706-1279
American Heart Association
5-Mar-2004