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Association between chronic undernutrition and hypertension
Ana L Sawaya1, Ricardo Sesso, Telma M de Menezes Toledo Florêncio
1Department of Physiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Botucatu 862, 2o andar, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. anafisi@ecb.epm.br
Maternal & Child Nutrition
|August 3, 2006
Summary
Childhood undernutrition and stunting in developing countries significantly increase the risk of developing obesity and hypertension later in life. Addressing nutritional deficits is crucial for preventing adult chronic diseases.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
- Cardiovascular Health
Background:
- Nutritional deficits during prenatal and post-natal development are prevalent in developing nations, leading to stunting and metabolic alterations.
- Over 30% of the global child population is affected by stunting, a condition with long-term health consequences.
- Brazil faces a dual burden of obesity and undernutrition, particularly among impoverished populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review data on the association between stunting, undernutrition, and the subsequent risk of obesity and hypertension.
- To highlight the public health implications of childhood undernutrition in the context of Brazil's socioeconomic disparities.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing data from Brazil focusing on undernutrition, stunting, obesity, and hypertension prevalence.
- Analysis of hypertension rates in stunted versus non-stunted adolescents and pre-school children.
- Examination of obesity and hypertension prevalence in stunted adults.
Main Results:
- Stunted adolescents exhibited a 21% prevalence of hypertension, more than double that of non-stunted peers.
- Undernourished or recovered pre-school children showed significantly higher hypertension rates (29% and 20%) compared to controls (2%).
- Among stunted adults, hypertension prevalence was 44% in women and 18% in men, with 50% of stunted, obese women having hypertension.
Conclusions:
- Chronic undernutrition and stunting in childhood are strongly linked to increased risks of obesity and hypertension in adulthood.
- Interventions targeting childhood undernutrition are essential for mitigating the future burden of hypertension-related morbidity and mortality.
- Public health policies must address the cycle of undernutrition and its long-term metabolic consequences.
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