Hypertension, sports supplements and motivational interviewing

This article is intended to review the recent literature on three topics that are very important in pediatric office practice: hypertension, sports supplements and motivational interviewing. Review of current literature will help pediatricians understand current data on the epidemiology and pathophysiology of hypertension, as well as new diagnostic tools and criteria. This article also provides practitioners with a summary of the most current literature on sports supplements. We conclude with a summary of recent studies evaluating the utility of motivational interviewing in the primary care setting.

Recent literature demonstrates the increasing prevalence of pediatric hypertension, as well as new insight into the pathophysiology. Current literature also suggests that sports-supplement use by children is on the rise. Recent literature emphasizes the need for pediatric practitioners to become proficient in motivational interviewing as a method to decrease health-risk behaviors and increase adherence to treatment plans by their patients.

Hypertension and sports-supplement use are both extremely common problems which negatively impact the lives of children and adolescents. Practitioners must acquire strategies such as motivational interviewing to aid their patients and families with behavior change in order to combat health problems related to behavior.