Blood pressure levels in children and youth are rising after decades of decline, according to a research study by a Morehouse school of Medicine. This study was done by analysing data of national health surveys conducted in 8-17 year age group between 1963 and 2002 published in “Circulation”, journal of the American Heart Association.

Childhood obesity increased in all racial and ethnic groups in the recent times. One centimetre increase in waist circumference will raise blood pressure by 10% and pre- high blood pressure by 5%.

Prevalence of high blood pressure showed a downward trend between 1963 and 1994 surveys and upward trend from 1999 onwards.

High blood pressure is a major health problem and a common risk factor for heart attack and stroke.

Normal blood pressure was defined as having both systolic pressure and diastolic pressure below the 90th percentile.

Pre-High BP was defined as either a systolic or diastolic blood pressure above the 90th percentile but below the 95th percentile or having blood pressure levels above 120/80 mm Hg, but below 95th percentile.

High Blood pressure was defined as either systolic or diastolic blood pressure at or above the 95th percentile.

Pre-high blood pressure is relevant because the long-running Bogalusa (La.) Heart Study found that children whose blood pressure was chronically at or above the 90th percentile showed signs of early organ damage as young adults, such as greater thickening of the heart wall or higher amounts of a protein called albumin in the urine.

Researchers used 2 kinds of overweight measurements:

1. Body Mass Index (BMI) – General overweight.
 

2. Waist circumference – Abdominal obesity.

Changing eating habits and sedentary lifestyle are major factors for rise in childhood obesity.

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