Researchers studied nearly 5,000 healthy teenagers in Saudi Arabia and found something surprising: more than 1 in 5 had high blood pressure without realizing it. The study looked at connections between high blood pressure, weight, cholesterol levels, and vitamin D. They discovered that being overweight was the strongest link to high blood pressure in teens, followed by unhealthy cholesterol levels. Interestingly, low vitamin D wasn’t as strongly connected to high blood pressure as expected. The findings suggest that many teenagers need blood pressure checks and healthier lifestyles to prevent serious health problems later in life.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How common is undiagnosed high blood pressure in Arab teenagers, and what factors like weight, cholesterol, and vitamin D might be connected to it?
  • Who participated: 4,760 teenagers from Saudi Arabia, average age 14-15 years old, with 64% girls and 36% boys. All were considered healthy at the start of the study.
  • Key finding: About 21 out of every 100 teenagers had high blood pressure without knowing it. Being overweight was the biggest risk factor—overweight teens were 1.7 times more likely to have high blood pressure. Bad cholesterol levels also increased the risk, especially in girls.
  • What it means for you: If you’re a teenager or parent of one, regular blood pressure checks are important. Maintaining a healthy weight and keeping cholesterol levels normal through diet and exercise may help prevent high blood pressure. However, this study only shows connections, not proof of cause-and-effect.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers took a snapshot of teenagers at one point in time rather than following them over years. They measured each teenager’s height, weight, blood pressure, and took blood samples to check cholesterol and vitamin D levels. The researchers defined undiagnosed high blood pressure as having blood pressure readings higher than 95% of other teenagers the same age, sex, and height—without a doctor having told them they had high blood pressure.

The study included teenagers from Saudi Arabia who appeared healthy and weren’t taking any blood pressure medications. Researchers compared teenagers with normal blood pressure to those with high blood pressure to see which factors were most common in the high blood pressure group. They also looked separately at boys and girls to see if the patterns were different between genders.

This research approach is important because it reveals a hidden health problem—teenagers with high blood pressure who don’t know they have it. By studying a large group all at once, researchers could quickly identify how common this problem is and which risk factors matter most. This type of study is good for spotting patterns and planning public health programs, though it can’t prove that one thing directly causes another.

The study’s strengths include a large sample size (nearly 5,000 teenagers) and careful measurements of blood pressure and blood work. The study was published in Scientific Reports, a respected scientific journal. However, because this is a snapshot study, it can only show connections between factors, not prove that one causes the other. The study was done only in Saudi Arabia, so results may not apply equally to all Arab populations or other countries. Additionally, the study couldn’t explain why vitamin D didn’t show the expected connection to high blood pressure, suggesting more research is needed.

What the Results Show

The most striking finding was that 21.1% of teenagers—more than 1 in 5—had high blood pressure without knowing it. This is a significant public health concern because these teenagers could develop serious heart and kidney problems later if their blood pressure isn’t managed.

Obesity (being significantly overweight) was the strongest risk factor for high blood pressure. Teenagers who were obese were 1.7 times more likely to have high blood pressure compared to teenagers with normal weight. This means if you take 100 obese teenagers, about 70% more of them would have high blood pressure than in a group of 100 teenagers with normal weight.

Abnormal cholesterol levels also increased high blood pressure risk. Low HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol) increased risk by 30%, and high LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) increased risk by 20%. These connections were especially strong in girls. The study also found that 84.4% of teenagers had vitamin D deficiency, which is very common in this region, though it wasn’t as strongly connected to high blood pressure as expected.

The study revealed important differences between boys and girls. Boys were more likely to have high triglycerides (a type of fat in blood) and low HDL cholesterol, while girls were more likely to have high LDL cholesterol. These gender differences suggest that boys and girls may need different approaches to preventing high blood pressure. The study also found that vitamin D had some connection to the top number of blood pressure (systolic pressure) but not the bottom number (diastolic pressure), which was unexpected and needs more research to understand.

Previous research has shown that high blood pressure in teenagers is becoming more common, often linked to rising obesity rates. This study confirms that pattern in Arab populations. However, the very high rate of vitamin D deficiency (84.4%) and its weaker-than-expected connection to high blood pressure is somewhat surprising and differs from some earlier studies, suggesting that the relationship between vitamin D and blood pressure may be more complex than previously thought.

This study has several important limitations. First, it only shows connections between factors and high blood pressure, not proof that one causes the other. Second, it was conducted only in Saudi Arabia, so the results may not apply equally to all Arab teenagers or teenagers in other countries. Third, the study couldn’t explain why vitamin D deficiency wasn’t more strongly connected to high blood pressure, leaving questions unanswered. Fourth, because teenagers weren’t followed over time, we don’t know if those with undiagnosed high blood pressure will develop health problems later. Finally, the study relied on single blood pressure measurements, while high blood pressure diagnosis typically requires multiple measurements over time.

The Bottom Line

Teenagers should have their blood pressure checked regularly, especially if they are overweight or have a family history of high blood pressure (moderate confidence). Maintaining a healthy weight through balanced eating and regular physical activity is important for preventing high blood pressure (strong confidence). Eating foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and high in fruits and vegetables, may help keep cholesterol and blood pressure healthy (moderate confidence). While vitamin D is important for overall health, this study suggests it may be less directly connected to blood pressure than previously thought, so don’t rely on vitamin D alone to prevent high blood pressure (low confidence for blood pressure specifically).

Teenagers, especially those who are overweight or have family members with high blood pressure, should pay attention to these findings. Parents and school health programs should consider regular blood pressure screening for teenagers. Healthcare providers in Arab countries should be aware of the high prevalence of undiagnosed high blood pressure in this population. However, these findings are most directly applicable to Arab teenagers; other populations may have different patterns.

Changes in weight and cholesterol levels typically take 2-3 months to show effects on blood pressure. However, some teenagers may see improvements in blood pressure within weeks of starting healthier habits. Long-term benefits of maintaining healthy weight and cholesterol levels develop over years and can prevent serious heart and kidney disease in adulthood.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track blood pressure readings weekly (if you have access to a monitor), weight monthly, and note physical activity minutes daily. Record any dietary changes, especially reducing sugary drinks and processed foods. Set a goal to reach or maintain a healthy weight range for your age and height.
  • Use the app to set reminders for regular physical activity (aim for 60 minutes daily), log meals to monitor cholesterol-friendly eating, and schedule regular blood pressure checks with a healthcare provider. Create alerts to remind you to eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while reducing saturated fats.
  • Check blood pressure monthly at a clinic or pharmacy if possible, and track the readings in the app. Monitor weight weekly and look for gradual downward trends rather than daily fluctuations. Review cholesterol levels annually with a doctor and track the results. Use the app’s dashboard to visualize progress over 3-6 month periods to stay motivated and identify patterns.

This research shows connections between certain factors and high blood pressure in Arab teenagers but does not prove cause-and-effect relationships. These findings are based on a study in Saudi Arabia and may not apply equally to all populations. If you or a teenager in your care has concerns about blood pressure, cholesterol, or weight, please consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalized medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment. Do not use this information to replace professional medical care or to diagnose any condition. Always seek guidance from a doctor before making significant changes to diet, exercise, or health routines.