Increasing childhood obesity in Türkiye raises hypertension concerns

Specialists note that obesity, a risk factor typically associated with older age, is now causing hypertension in children

The rising rate of childhood obesity in Türkiye has led to an alarming increase in hypertension among children – a condition traditionally associated with adults.

Experts warn that one in five children in Türkiye is now overweight, a factor contributing to the higher incidence of high blood pressure, which damages arteries, hinders growth and development, impairs heart health and can lead to early strokes.

With the rapid increase in childhood obesity, hypertension is also becoming a significant concern. 1 in 5 children in Türkiye suffer from obesity

They emphasize the importance of controlling children’s weight to prevent heart and vascular diseases – as well as kidney disorders linked to hypertension.

Professor Dr. Aydin Turkmen, a Turkish Kidney Foundation’s Board of Directors member and an internal medicine and nephrology expert, emphasized that hypertension is not just a figure above 12/8. “One in three adults in Türkiye has hypertension.”

Hypertension, due to its links with chronic kidney disease, diabetes and obesity, is the leading cause of stroke, heart attack and kidney disease globally.

Although its prevalence increases with age, many patients do not exhibit severe initial symptoms, delaying timely medical intervention and increasing the risk of life-threatening conditions,” he explained.

Professor Dr. Türkmen highlighted that hypertension can affect children of all ages, not just adults.

“Hypertension in children can result from congenital factors or develop in older children and adolescents due to obesity. Kidney-related hypertension can cause growth retardation. Children suspected of having high blood pressure should undergo monitoring with a Holter device. Symptoms of hypertension in children can include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, nosebleeds, fatigue and blurred vision,” he noted.

Türkiye, already a leader in obesity rates in Europe, is now competing globally in childhood obesity. The “Türkiye Childhood Obesity Survey – COSI TUR 2013″ revealed that among second-grade students, 14.2% were overweight and 8.3% were obese.

Today, these figures have risen to around 20%, meaning one in five children is overweight.

Source: Newsroom