Blood pressure increases shown in children and adolescents; overweight, sedentary lifestyle blamed.(News)

Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure among children and adolescents increased significantly from 1988 to 2000, with the highest increases occurring among Mexican Americans and younger children.

At least some of the blood pressure increase can be attributed to the growing prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents. But the finding remained significant after researchers controlled for body mass index (BMI), reported Paul Muntner, Ph.D., of Tulane University, New Orleans, and his colleagues.

"This suggests that environmental factors other than an increase in BMI are responsible for at least part of the increase observed.... To better control blood pressure levels among children and adolescents, research to identify behavioral factors such as diet composition and physical activity influencing blood pressure, and …