Rates of high blood pressure in children have almost doubled since 2000, with more than one in 20 now affected, new global research shows.
In 2020, 6.2 per cent of under-19s had high blood pressure, compared with 3.2 per cent in 2000.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, now affects 114 million children worldwide, according to an international team including academics from the University of Edinburgh and Zhejiang University in China.
The authors examined data on 443,000 children from 21 countries and found obesity was a substantial driver of the problem.
Nearly 19 per cent of children and adolescents with obesity have high blood pressure, compared with 3 per cent among those with a healthy weight.
In England, one in ten (10.5 per cent) children in the first year of primary school is obese. By the final year, 22.2 per cent are obese, according to the National Child Measurement Programme.
High blood pressure occurs when the force of blood pushing against artery walls is consistently too high, which can damage blood vessels and organs over time.
Co-author Dr Peige Song of Zhejiang University attributed higher rates to unhealthy diets, decreased physical activity and rising childhood obesity.
She said: “The analysis showed that children and adolescents with obesity are nearly eight times more likely to develop hypertension.”
“Parents play a pivotal role in preventing and managing high blood pressure in children.
“Promoting healthy habits, such as a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains while minimising salt and sugar intake, can substantially reduce the risk of hypertension.”