THE rate of children and adolescents experiencing high blood pressure worldwide nearly doubled between 2000 and 2020, according to a new meta-analysis published today.
The researchers looks at 96 studies involving almost half a million children in 21 countries.
Approximately 3.2% of children had hypertension in 2000, but this had increased to more than 6.2% of children and adolescents aged 18 and under by 2020, with a further 8.2% having prehypertension.
Obesity is a substantial driver of the increase in childhood hypertension.
"This study underscores the substantial and growing burden of childhood hypertension and the importance of early identification, particularly among adolescents and children with overweight or obesity," the team concluded.
Read the study HERE.
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