Researchers from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden found that carrying extra weight during childhood and teenage years increases the risk of developing high blood pressure later in life. The findings were shared on the website of the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO).
In the study, scientists tracked the health and weight history of 1,683 individuals who were born between 1948 and 1968. To gauge body mass index (BMI) during childhood and adolescence, the team reviewed school health records and military fitness documents. BMI is a straightforward measure of weight relative to height that helps classify whether someone is underweight, at a healthy weight, overweight, or obese.
The analysis revealed clear associations between BMI changes in youth and blood pressure in later years. For boys, each one-unit increase in BMI during childhood correlated with a rise of 1.30 mmHg in systolic blood pressure and a 0.75 mmHg increase in diastolic pressure. When BMI rose by one unit in young men, systolic blood pressure went up by about 1.03 mmHg and diastolic pressure by roughly 0.53 mmHg.
Among girls, a one-unit BMI rise during adolescence was linked to an increase of 0.96 mmHg in systolic blood pressure and a 0.77 mmHg rise in diastolic pressure. The study noted that excess weight during childhood did not show a significant impact on blood pressure indicators in adulthood for females as a group.
Experts explained that excess fat during childhood and adolescence can trigger inflammatory processes in the body. Over time this inflammation may contribute to vascular damage, a known risk factor for hypertension in adulthood. The accumulation of vascular changes can set the stage for higher blood pressure years later and influence heart and vessel health as people age.
These findings add to a growing body of evidence about how early-life weight patterns affect long-term cardiovascular risk. They underscore the importance of monitoring weight and promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors in children and teens. Early interventions aimed at supporting balanced nutrition, physical activity, and consistent medical follow-up can help mitigate future blood pressure problems and support overall health as individuals move into adulthood.
In interpreting the results, researchers emphasized that the relationship between childhood weight and adult blood pressure is influenced by multiple factors, including genetics, physical activity, and dietary habits. While the association is notable, it does not determine destiny. Lifestyle choices made in adolescence and early adulthood can still shape blood pressure outcomes and cardiovascular health later in life. Public health strategies that focus on prevention, early screening, and education remain essential to reducing the burden of hypertension across populations.
These insights also highlight the need for ongoing, age-appropriate health monitoring. Routine growth and weight assessments during school years, combined with conversations about healthy eating and activity, can help identify those at higher risk and guide timely interventions. The goal is to support children and adolescents in establishing habits that promote heart health well into adulthood. [Source: European Association for the Study of Obesity]