Hypertension, popularly known as high blood pressure, is one of the most common diseases these days. And it’s not just in Brazil. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this is the cause of 51% of deaths from Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA) and 45% of deaths from heart problems worldwide.
High blood pressure is also responsible for the development of other cardiovascular diseases such as diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol and also kidney disease.
But did you know that children and teenagers can also be affected by this evil? Data released in 2013 by the Brazilian Society of Cardiology showed that high blood pressure affected 6% of the child and youth population, that is, about 5 million children and adolescents. Most cases are related to poor diet, consumption of industrialized foods and fast foods.
According to nutritionist Mayara Olikszechen, from Fundação Pró Renal, in order for children to have a healthy, regulated and balanced diet and to avoid the consumption of foods that are harmful to health, parental encouragement is necessary.
“Always try to offer food in naturaavoiding hamburgers, french fries, nuggets and sandwiches in general which, in addition to containing excess sodium, contain monosodium glutamate, a substance that gives greater flavor, but which is excitatory to the central nervous system, and may cause migraines, cancer, systemic arterial hypertension and other chronic diseases”, he advises.
A sugar intake is not recommended, mainly up to the age of two. “After that, it’s important to avoid having sugary foods at home and avoid offering them all the time when you’re out too. Inevitably, the child will consume it at school or at birthday parties, for example”, explains the nutritionist.
Occasional and moderate consumption is not the problem, but daily consumption and in large quantities. Simple carbohydrates, such as sweets and snacks in general, should also be avoided. “It is recommended to opt for whole carbohydrates, such as rice and bread, and including sweet potatoes, yams and other fiber-filled carbohydrates in the diet is also interesting”, says Mayara.
O water intake and physical activity should also be encouraged by parents or guardians, as they are attitudes that help prevent the development of this disease, considered by the WHO as a silent disease because it does not show any signs until the consequences are serious, such as damage to the heart, brain, kidneys, among others. others.
If left untreated, high blood pressure can cause serious health problems for children and adolescents, such as the onset of kidney disease.
The nutritionist at Fundação Pró Renal advises parents to observe whether the child has swelling in the legs and feet, if he is more thirsty and if the color of the urine is darker. “These are signs that something is not going well with the kidneys.
Not every hypertensive individual will have chronic kidney disease. Systemic arterial hypertension is a risk factor, so changes in diet and lifestyle can prevent kidney disease, ”he says.
Excessive protein is also a risk factor for the development of kidney disease, but with the right measurements there is no problem, explains Mayara.
“Protein is not restricted in childhood and adolescence so as not to affect growth and development, unless the child or adolescent has chronic kidney disease, and is evaluated individually”, he explains. Children and adolescents who have kidney failure/chronic kidney disease should be monitored by a nephrologist who will indicate the best treatment.
OBESITY
Obesity is the main factor related to the development of high blood pressure. Data from the World Obesity Federation, published in 2017 by the BBC, indicate that in 2025 Brazil will have 150,000 children and young people with type 2 diabetes. The data are even more alarming when it comes to high blood pressure: 1 million is stipulated by the Federation .
Industrialized foods and fast foods are responsible for such numbers. Regarding the data presented, Mayara Olikszechen, nutritionist at Fundação Pró Renal, believes it is possible to slow down this scenario.
“However, what is perceived as negative points is the influence of the media on food, in addition to cheaper access to industrialized products. Nowadays it’s cheaper to eat a sandwich at the mall than a plate of real food”. Children and adolescents are more vulnerable to media influence, which uses, for example, characters, superheroes and pop culture to call attention to a certain product.
The nutritionist explains that parents should be an example for their children when it comes to healthy eating. “The child begins to form personality and eating habits from early childhood, with a peak between five and seven years.
During this period, it is necessary to be very careful with food”, he guarantees. The child eats what is offered to him, explains the nutritionist, so “offering very sweet or very salty foods will make the child always try to consume very sweet and very salty products”.
Mayara also talks about another interesting point. “To avoid overweight, obesity and chronic diseases in adulthood, the mother should have a healthy pregnancy schedule and, whenever possible, maintain exclusive breastfeeding until the sixth month”.
SYMPTOMS
Clinical and physical signs such as the appearance of swelling, dark colored urine and/or stronger smell and fever can be symptoms of chronic kidney disease or other diseases. “Therefore, blood and imaging tests are not required to confirm the diagnosis after the physical signs”, advises the nutritionist.
