High blood pressure 'starts in childhood'

OVERWEIGHT teenagers are more likely to go on to suffer high blood pressure in middle age, a study claims.

- Jim Leffman

High blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke and kidney damage and is one of the most preventable causes of premature death worldwide.

But the seeds are sown in childhood and managing kids' weight can protect them in adulthood, according to a paper presented at the European on Congress Obesity in Venice.

Study author Dr Lina Lilja of the University of D Gothenburg in Sweden said:

"Preventing overweight and obesity beginning in childhood matters when it comes to achieving a healthy blood pressure in later life."