[Obesity in children and hypertension]. / Obesità in età pediatrica ed ipertensione arteriosa.

ABSTRACT

According to the World Health Organization, obesity is one of the most common nutritional problem among children. The major determinant of this enormous increase in obesity prevalence is modern lifestyle and the consumption of very caloric foods such as fast-food products. Actually, there is a strong relationship between obesity and hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, and orthopedic problems. The aim of this review is to discuss the main mechanisms that link obesity to cardiovascular disease.