Obese Children Pose Risk Factor For Hypertension

Obese children may possess high risk for hypertension and diabetes although it is a misconception to say that obese children immediately have hypertensive cardiovascular diseases, according to John Richard Lapascua, Department of Health regional senior health program officer.

In a monthly meeting with the local media here, Lapascua said that hypertensive cardiovascular diseases are mostly hereditary and carried from womb to tomb by a person.

Parents are advised to inspire their obese and fat children to practice a healthy lifestyle by indulging in sports program and eating nutritious food.

Hypertensive cardiovascular disease (HCVD), although categorized as a non-communicable disease (NCD) is the top killer disease in Western Visayas. The disease is on the top 10 mortality and leading cause of death with a rate of 157 percent affected per 100,000 population.

Following HCVD are pneumonia, malignant neoplasm or cancer, injuries due to accidents, kidney disease, cerebro vascular accidents, tuberculosis all forms, diabetes, septicemia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

LLapascua said there are four major groups of non-communicable diseases with four major lifestyle related risk factors. These are hypertension and stroke, diabetes, and cancer brought mainly by tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol. The last NCD is chronic lung disorder brought by heavy tobacco use. (PNA) FFC/PGL/LCP/CBF