Childhood obesity prevention programs can help lower BP levels later in life

A new research suggests that even modest elevations in the BP of adolescents can pose cardiovascular problems later in life.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies of the effect of child obesity intervention programs on blood pressure has found that whether such programs prevented obesity or not, many of them reduced BP in children.

It also found that the most effective programs in this regard promoted both healthy eating and physical activity.

The study, one of the first of its kind, 'Effect of Childhood Obesity Prevention Programs on BP: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,' was led by epidemiologist Youfa Wang, MD, PhD, of the University at Buffalo and conducted by researchers from Johns Hopkins University, UB and other institutions.

"Of the 28 obesity interventions with complete data that we analyzed, 13 (46 percent) had a favorable effect on both adiposity and BP and 11 interventions (39 percent) had a significant effect on the reduction of BP, even if they did not affect adiposity," Wang said.

"It is important to identify obesity intervention programs that can help children develop healthy lifestyles and keep BP at an optimal level, because these programs help them avoid many long-term health consequences," he said.

The study is published online in the journal Circulation.