Global study finds childhood hypertension nearly doubled in 20 years, obesity major contributor

Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Nov 13: A new global analysis published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health journal has revealed a worrying trend — the prevalence of hypertension, or high blood pressure, among children and teenagers has nearly doubled over the past two decades, rising from 3.2 per cent in 2000 to over six per cent in 2020.

Researchers, including those from the University of Edinburgh, attributed the sharp rise largely to increasing obesity rates among children. The study also noted that nearly one in five obese children worldwide suffers from hypertension — almost eight times higher than those with a healthy weight.

The findings, based on data from 96 studies involving over 4.4 lakh children across 21 countries, highlight a growing global health c