Global childhood hypertension rates nearly doubled in two decades: study

A new global analysis has found that the number of children and adolescents living with high blood pressure has almost doubled over the past 20 years, with poor diet, inactivity, and rising obesity levels emerging as major culprits.

Published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, the study reviewed data from 96 studies covering more than 400,000 participants across 21 countries.

It revealed that 6.2% of individuals under 19 now live with hypertension, up from 3.2% two decades ago — equivalent to about 114 million young people worldwide.

Researchers noted that obesity was a major driver of the trend. Nearly one in five children and teenagers with obesity were found to have hypertension, compared with fewer than 3% among those with a healthy weight.

Experts warned that the surge in childhood high blood pressure could have long-term consequences, including an increased risk of cardiovascular and kidney diseases.

The analysis also identified a growing number of young people with prehypertension — a condition where blood pressure levels are elevated but not yet within the hypertensive range. Roughly 8.2% of those under 19 fell into this category, with rates particularly high among teenagers. Blood pressure tended to spike around age 14, especially in boys, highlighting the importance of routine screening during adolescence.

Health specialists have described the findings as alarming but preventable.

They linked the global rise to shifts in lifestyle, including processed food consumption, excessive salt and sugar intake, and sedentary habits driven by screen time. The study’s authors and independent experts alike stressed that simple interventions — such as balanced diets, regular physical activity, and parental monitoring — could significantly reduce risks.

Medical professionals also emphasised that hypertension in childhood often continues into adulthood, heightening the likelihood of early-onset heart disease and stroke. However, they noted that obesity-related hypertension can often be reversed through sustained lifestyle changes.

Public health advocates have urged governments to take stronger action to curb obesity and hypertension in younger populations. Recommended measures include tighter regulations on marketing unhealthy foods to children and policies that encourage the food industry to produce healthier everyday options.