Children should also prevent hypertension.

by 60888888 on 2010-01-28 16:07:38

Hypertension, though common among adults, has seen an increasing prevalence rate among children in recent years. Studies have also found that adult hypertension patients often had risk factors for high blood pressure during their childhood, such as obesity and unhealthy diets. Especially when the blood pressure of children aged 6-9 is ≥122/78mmHg, and for those aged 10-12 it's ≥126/82mmHg, the probability of developing hypertension in adulthood significantly increases.

Therefore, preventing hypertension should start with children who live in superior living conditions in today’s society.

(1) Weight loss: With the improvement in living standards and changes in dietary structure, the incidence of obesity in Chinese children has risen to about 7%, becoming a social phenomenon of concern. Weight is directly related to blood pressure, and the incidence of hypertension in obese individuals is more than three times higher than in people with normal weight. Both prevention and treatment of hypertension should first focus on weight loss, which must be based on increased physical activity and adjustment of dietary structure (please refer to the hypertension diet).

(2) Control diet: Overweight children should not consume more than 1300 calories per day. It is recommended to eat foods rich in dietary fiber and low-calorie foods such as carrots, celery, and pears; reduce the intake of high-calorie foods like ice cream, hamburgers, and chocolate.

(3) Adjust dietary structure: Consuming more animal and plant proteins, such as eggs, lean meat, fish, bean products, etc., can ensure the amino acids needed for children's growth and development. Limit fat intake, especially saturated fats from animal sources, such as fatty meat, cream cakes, hamburgers, fried chicken pieces, etc. Use plant oils containing unsaturated fatty acids instead.

(4) High calcium and potassium, low sodium salt: If sodium salt intake doubles, the incidence of hypertension also doubles. Minimize consumption of pickled foods such as pickles, fermented tofu, and salted meats. Supplementing enough calcium every day can prevent hypertension; milk, walnuts, shrimp shells, etc., are all rich in calcium. Potassium can counteract the hypertensive tendency caused by high sodium foods, so it is recommended to consume more potassium-rich foods, such as bananas, oranges, kelp, and black fungus.

(5) Adequate vitamins and trace elements: Vitamins C, E, B complex, and trace elements such as zinc, magnesium, and selenium can help prevent hypertension and coronary heart disease. I have detailed this in my section on hypertension food therapy. These nutrients are widely found in foods such as tomatoes, rapeseed, apples, hawthorn, wheat germ, peanuts, etc.

(6) Increase physical activity: Exercise helps consume excess calories, creating a virtuous cycle of metabolism. Children will grow strong and not become overweight. Appropriate sun exposure also aids in calcium absorption.