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Treatment of Obesity-Related Hypertension in Children and Adolescents

  • Hypertension and Obesity (E Reisin, Section Editor)
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Abstract

The obesity epidemic has become a common concern among pediatricians, with an estimated 32 % of US children and adolescents classified as overweight and 18 % as obese. Along with the increase in obesity, a growing body of evidence demonstrates that chronic diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes, primary hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, once thought to be confined solely to adulthood, are commonly seen among the obese in childhood. Following a brief summary of the diagnosis and evaluation of hypertension in obese children and adolescents, this review will highlight recent research on the treatment of obesity-related hypertension. Pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment will be discussed. Additionally, current and emerging therapies for the primary treatment of obesity in children and adolescents, which have been gaining in popularity, will be reviewed.

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Conflict of Interest

S. M. Halbach declares that she has no conflict of interest.

J. Flynn has received payment for serving as a consultant from Novartis and Pfizer, and payment for the development of CME lectures from the American Society of Hypertension.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Nephrology, Seattle Children’s Hospital, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA

    Susan M. Halbach & Joseph Flynn

  2. Seattle Children’s Hospital, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, M/S OC.9.820, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA

    Susan M. Halbach

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  1. Susan M. Halbach
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Correspondence to Susan M. Halbach.

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Halbach, S.M., Flynn, J. Treatment of Obesity-Related Hypertension in Children and Adolescents. Curr Hypertens Rep 15, 224–231 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-013-0334-7

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