Pediatricians are urged to recognize and treat obesity and hypertension (high blood pressure) in children. Here are summaries of the reports on obesity and hypertension in children.
Obesity: Although the prevalence of childhood obesity has now reached epidemic proportions, it is under-recognized and undertreated by pediatric primary care providers. In a study, pediatricians at a children's hospital identified obesity as a problem in only half of the obese children. The lowest rates of obesity identification occurred among children under 5 years of age and those with milder degrees of obesity. Identification did not improve with additional years of pediatric training.
Comment: Pediatricians have been traditionally concerned about children who are "failing to thrive." Kids who are thriving all too well have become a big problem.
Hypertension: Advances have been made in the detection and management of high blood pressure in children and adolescents. Because of the development of a large national database on normal blood pressure levels throughout childhood, the ability to identify children who have high blood pressure has improved. It is now clear that hypertension is detectable in children and is common. The long-term health risks for hypertensive children and adolescents can be substantial.
High blood pressure is detected by checking the blood pressure. This has often not been done regularly in children.
Barbara K. Hecht, Ph.D.
Frederick Hecht, M.D.
Medical Editors, MedicineNet.com