New threat to overweight youngsters

Children can almost triple their risk of high blood pressure by being overweight or obese, research has shown.

Scientists in the United States studied for five years more than 1,100 children with an average age of ten.

They found 14 per cent of those categorised as overweight or obese had blood pressure at or near “too high” levels, compared with 5 per cent of normal-weight children.

The researchers measured the children’s Body Mass Index (BMI), which relates weight and height. Those in the top 15 per cent of BMI scores were classified as overweight. Obese children were in the top 5 per cent.

Professor Wanzhu Tu, from Indiana University, said: “Higher blood pressure in childhood sets the stage for high blood pressure in adulthood.

“Targeted interventions are needed for these children. Even small decreases in BMI could yield major health benefits.”

The scientists found leptin, a hormone involved in body weight regulation and metabolism, was linked to increased blood pressure in the children.

Prof Tu said: “Previous studies overestimated the effect of BMI on blood pressure in children of normal weight and underestimated the effect of high BMI on overweight and obese children.”