Programmes designed to prevent obesity in children may help lower their blood pressure, according to a new review of past studies. Researchers found that programmes targeting both diet and physical activity were more effective than programmes that focused on one or the other, reports [s]Health24[/s]. High blood pressure is more common among children who are overweight and obese, so the authors of the review wanted to see if obesity-prevention programmes also improved blood pressure in kids. 'Blood pressure during childhood can track into adulthood, and when kids have elevated blood pressure they are more likely to have hypertension when they become adults,' says co-author [b]Dr Youfa Wang[/b], from the [b]State University of New York[/b]. The review is part of a larger comprehensive study on childhood obesity funded by the [b]Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality[/b].
[link url=http://www.health24.com/Medical/Hypertension/News/Obesity-prevention-keeps-kids-blood-pressure-down-20140320]Full Health24 report[/link]
[link url=http://www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/tools-and-resources/ehc-program-webcasts/childhood-obesity/transcript]Effective Health Care Programme research presentation[/link]