Research indicates high blood pressure could begin in childhood

Swedish study finds children and teenagers living with overweight or obesity are more likely to have high blood pressure as adults, indicating the processes behind the condition could begin as early as childhood.

New research being presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity highlighted that blood pressure in male adults increased with higher BMI in childhood and adolescence. In women, blood pressure in middle age increased in linear association with greater pubertal BMI change, but not childhood BMI.

High blood pressure is the main cause of heart attacks, strokes, and chronic kidney disease, yet is one of the most preventable and treatable causes of premature deaths worldwide through lifestyle changes.

The study was based on 1,683 individuals (858 men and 825 women) born between 1948 and 1968 who were involved in two population-based cohorts to examine the link between BMI and blood pressure in midlife.

Lead author Dr. Lina Lilja from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden said: "Our results suggest that preventing overweight and obesity beginning in childhood matters when it comes to achieving a healthy blood pressure in later life.

"Children and teenagers living with overweight or obesity might benefit from targeted initiatives and lifestyle modifications to reduce the substantial disease burden associated with high blood pressure in later life from diseases such as heart attacks, strokes, and kidney damage.”