The Rapid Increase in Children's Hypertension: The Era of "Hypertension Kids" Brought About by Junk Food and Sedentary Lifestyles

"Adult diseases" are infiltrating children's daily lives

The French regional newspaper 'Le Progrès' published an article sounding the alarm that "hypertension among children and teens is increasing at an alarming rate." The background to this is a massive meta-analysis published in the medical journal The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health.leprogres.fr

This study compiled data from 96 large-scale surveys across 21 countries, totaling over 443,000 individuals. The prevalence of hypertension in those under 19 was 3.2% in 2000, but by 2020, it had exceeded 6.2%, indicating that approximately 114 million children and young people worldwide could be diagnosed with hypertension.EurekAlert!

The image of hypertension as a "lifestyle disease for middle-aged and older adults" no longer aligns with reality. Looking at the numbers alone, in a classroom of 30 students, 1 to 2 may have hypertension, and an additional 2 to 3 are considered "at risk."

Obesity has become a "game changer"

The research team emphasizes the strong link with obesity. About 19% of children and young people with obesity have hypertension, while less than 3% of those with standard weight do. This represents roughly an eightfold risk difference, positioning obesity as the main culprit in the global increase in hypertension.EurekAlert!

Over the past 20 years, childhood obesity has continued to rise worldwide. According to WHO, as of 2020, approximately 39 million children under the age of 5 and 340 million aged 5 to 19 are estimated to be overweight or obese.Wikipedia

The common living environment is the underlying factor.

• Easy access to sugary drinks, snacks, and fast food

• Prolonged sitting and screen time accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic

• Stress and sleep deprivation due to cram schools, exams, and academic pressure

These factors combine to place an "adult-level burden on small bodies."

A "silent disease" that's troublesome because it's hard to see

The fear of hypertension lies in the fact that it often presents with almost no symptoms. The same is true for children, where headaches or fatigue may be attributed to growth spurts or excessive smartphone use.

The Lancet's analysis estimated that 8.2% of children worldwide fall into the category of "elevated blood pressure (prehypertension)" just before being diagnosed with clear hypertension. This percentage jumps to 11.8% during adolescence.Reuters

Even more troublesome is "masked hypertension," where blood pressure is normal in the doctor's office but high at home or school, affecting about 9.2% of children and young people.Medical Xpress

Even after measuring three times in the doctor's office, the actual persistent hypertension is estimated at 4.3%, but combining "out-of-office measurements" such as home or 24-hour blood pressure monitoring raises it to 6.7%, according to reports.Medical Xpress

In other words, even the currently reported numbers are just "the tip of the iceberg," and there may be many more children with hypertension.

The clash of "shock" and "personal responsibility" narratives on social media

When these research results were reported by global media, social media quickly became abuzz.

• Voices of shock and anxiety
  Timelines were filled with posts from parents expressing surprise at the numbers and concern for their children, such as "I can't believe even kids have hypertension" and "I'm worried because my child has been getting chubby lately."

• Voices questioning parental responsibility
  On the other hand, there were many comments blaming parents, such as "It's the parents' responsibility for not managing their children's diet" and "They give too many games." This pattern is seen across countries and cultures, with similar debates occurring in Japanese-speaking regions.

• Voices emphasizing environmental factors
  In response, there are increasing posts pointing out structural societal issues, such as "How can you be healthy in a town with only convenience stores on the way home from school?" and "Ads and algorithms are leading kids to junk food."

• "Explanation threads" by medical professionals
  Pediatricians and cardiologists are creating long threads on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, calmly explaining, "It's not about needing medication right away," and "Start with lifestyle changes."
  ・The criteria for children's blood pressure vary by age, gender, and height
  ・Even if it's high once, measure it several times to make a judgment
  ・Tips on choosing home blood pressure monitors and keeping the arm at heart level during measurement
  They are sharing specific points to alleviate excessive anxiety while also raising awareness of the crisis.

• Voices of children and teens themselves
  Posts by teenagers reveal dissatisfaction with the environment, such as "The school vending machines only have sugary drinks" and "Tests are said to be more important than PE." Meanwhile, there are also signs of them trying to be creative, like "Doing muscle training for just 10 minutes before gaming" and "Walking home with friends as a challenge."

What emerges from these social media landscapes is the perspective that "it's not a problem to be shouldered by parents alone." While efforts at home are important, there is indeed an "environmental barrier" that cannot be overcome by that alone.

Future risks are already starting "now"

Childhood hypertension, if left untreated, is known to increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease in adulthood.Medical Xpress

Damage accumulates inside the blood vessels from a young age, accelerating the progression of arteriosclerosis. Considering that "invisible aging" begins in the teenage years, one can grasp the significant impact.

Furthermore, when hypertension is combined with type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and sleep apnea, it collectively elevates the risk of future cardiovascular events as "metabolic syndrome."

Five checkpoints for families

So, what can parents do? Based on recommendations from doctors and international guidelines, here are five points to be mindful of at home.The Lancet

1. Know the "blood pressure" number at least once a year
   Simply adding a request like "Can you also check the blood pressure?" during school health check-ups or pediatric visits can lead to early risk detection. If you have a blood pressure monitor at home, make sure the cuff fits your child's arm circumference.

2. Make soft drinks and snacks an "event" rather than a "daily routine"
   Instead of consuming them as a daily habit, adopting a "weekend only" or "special occasions only" approach can naturally reduce total calorie, salt, and sugar intake.

3. Reduce "while using a smartphone" and increase "while exercising"
   Completely banning games or videos is not realistic. Instead,

   • Set viewing times with a timer

   • Pair stretching or muscle training before and after watching
     By making "active time" a rule, it becomes easier to continue.

4. Consider sleep as "part of the treatment"
   Staying up late disrupts appetite and stress hormones, worsening both obesity and hypertension. The basic principle is not to drastically change wake-up times on weekdays and weekends.

5. "Share the numbers" with your child
   Instead of using weight or blood pressure as a tool for reprimand or shame, adopting a "record together and monitor changes" approach can foster the child's sense of initiative. Creating graphs or setting goals in a game-like manner can encourage a positive attitude.

There are limits to what families can do without changes in schools and society

Researchers position the results as "not just a medical issue but a public health challenge as a whole."Cadena SER

• Reducing salt and improving balance in school meals

• Ensuring time and space for physical education and club activities

• Regulating junk food advertising aimed at children

• Creating towns where children can walk or bike safely

Such measures will become the "infrastructure" to protect children's blood pressure. On social media, there are increasing calls for political and administrative action, with comments like "Relying solely on parental efforts will only widen disparities."

A sense of balance: "Don't be too afraid, but don't ignore it either"

After reading this far, you may feel anxious. However, the authors of the study emphasize that "there is also good news." Hypertension and its precursors can be sufficiently improved and prevented if detected early and lifestyle habits are adjusted.EurekAlert!

What is important is,

• not ignoring the signs from children's bodies and minds

• not fearing only the numbers but also reviewing the living environment behind them

• bringing together what parents, schools, communities, and administrations can do

Instead of turning a blind eye with "not my child" or blaming oneself with "it's all the parents' fault," face the facts and start with what can be done. This accumulation will likely lead to protecting the hearts and blood vessels of children 10 or 20 years from now.