PEDIATRIC HYPERTENSION AND ITS LINK TO CHILDHOOD OBESITY: EPIDEMIOLOGY, MECHANISMS, AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Аннотация:

The prevalence of pediatric hypertension has increased in parallel with the global rise in childhood obesity, representing a major public health concern. Obesity is a significant and modifiable risk factor for elevated blood pressure in children and adolescents, contributing to early cardiovascular target organ damage and long-term risk of adult hypertension. Mechanisms linking obesity to hypertension include insulin resistance, sympathetic nervous system activation, renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system dysregulation, chronic inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction. Epidemiological studies consistently demonstrate a dose–response relationship between excess adiposity and blood pressure, with central obesity posing particularly high risk. Early detection and intervention are critical, emphasizing regular blood pressure monitoring, lifestyle modification, and family-centered strategies to prevent and manage obesity-related hypertension. This review synthesizes current evidence on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical implications of pediatric hypertension in the context of childhood obesity, highlighting the need for early prevention to reduce lifelong cardiovascular risk.