Hypertension among obese children and youth age 8-12:Project EDDY-Kids 2019

Abstract

ABSTRACT Hypertension in children and adolescents has increased over the years and is considered as a major public health issue. The correlation between obesity and hypertension is well established; data show the persistence of elevated blood pressure in children and adolescence into adulthood, which leads to cardiovascular diseases. In the EDDY-Kids 2019 prevention programme, we measured the blood pressure of 123 school children (ages 8–12) over the period of 6 months, starting in January, additionally giving weekly nutrition lessons and sports activities to evaluate the influence of a nutrition-, sports-, and lifestyle intervention on the children’s body composition, weight, and blood pressure. At all stages of the project, the number of children with elevated pressure was lower in the normal and below-normal cohorts compared to the overweight and obese group. This demonstrates a positive correlation between obesity and hypertension. In both groups, blood pressure values dropped over the time period of the programme. This could be the result of the intervention programme or the children adapting to the unusual situation. A lot of children were nervous or haven’t even experienced a blood pressure measurement before. The results clearly underline the necessity of measuring children’s blood pressure on a regular basis (annually or semi-annually) to allow nurses and doctors to facilitate the earliest possible diagnosis of elevated blood pressure in children, thereby helping to prevent a persistence of hypertension into adult age.