March 7, 2003 – An alarming number of young Quebecers have high blood pressure and are at risk of developing high blood pressure1 when they reach adulthood.
This is what Dr. Gilles Paradis, professor of epidemiology at McGill University, said after having measured the blood pressure of 3,600 adolescents and preadolescents as part of a study undertaken in 1999.
Results fluctuate markedly with age. So, at age 9, 9% of girls have high blood pressure, but no boys. At age 13, the percentages drop to 19% for boys and 14% for girls. Then, at age 16, the rates are 25% for boys and 13% for girls.
Obesity2 would be the main cause of the problem. Invariably, Dr. Paradis told The Canadian Press, the tallest children were those with the highest blood pressure, both boys and girls, in all age groups. He points to the growing sedentary lifestyle and poor nutrition of young people.
Doctor Paradis does not hesitate to describe the situation as “the main public health problem of the new decade” and says that it must be tackled now, since it often takes years to change people’s lifestyles. .
The study was funded by the Quebec Ministry of Health. It has yet to be published in a medical journal, but Dr. Paradis nonetheless unveiled the findings at an American Heart Association (AHA) conference in Miami.
Skimmed milk from two years old
During the same conference, the AHA announced its new recommendations in the fight against cardiovascular disease. These focus on prevention and specifically target children.
As a first step, the Association recommends giving children solid eating habits from an early age, since these are the ones that are likely to follow them throughout their lives. She suggests skimmed milk from the age of two, as well as a diet low in fat, salt and sugar.
The AHA also advocates a “family” approach to cardiovascular health. She says all overweight family members should get the help they need to control their weight, and parents should lead by example by switching from the remote control to riding a bicycle.3.
Finally, for children who already have risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, such as obesity, diabetes or even high blood pressure or cholesterol levels, the Association recommends educational programs.4, a change in eating habits and taking medication when necessary.
Jean-Benoit Legault – PasseportSanté.net
According to the Canadian Press and Reuters, March 6, 2003.
1. Vasan RS, Larson MG, Leip EP, Evans JC, O’Donnell CJ, Kanne WBl, Levy D. Impact of High-Normal Blood Pressure on the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease. N Engl J Med 2001 Nov 1; 345 (18): 1291-1297.
2. O’Loughlin J, Paradis G, Meshefedjian G, Gray-Donald K. A five-year trend of increasing obesity among elementary schoolchildren in multiethnic, low-income, inner-city neighborhoods in Montreal, Canada.Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 2000 Sep; 24 (9): 1176-82 [Consulté le 7 mars 2003].
3. Steffen PR, Sherwood A, Gullette EC, Georgiades A, Hinderliter A, Blumenthal JA. Effects of exercise and weight loss on blood pressure during daily life. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2001 Oct; 33 (10): 1635-40.
4. Davis SP, Davis M, Northington L, Moll G, Kolar K. Childhood obesity reduction by school based programs.ABNF J 2002 Nov-Dec; 13 (6): 145-9. [Consulté le 7 mars 2003].
