Answer to Question 1
Excess weight and high sodium intake contribute to hypertension. Hypertension in children is usually referred to as secondary hypertension. In addition to obesity and/or excessive salt intake, it also occurs because of lack of physical exercise and lead poisoning. Hypertension causes the heart and blood vessels to work harder and over time can lead to stroke, heart failure, and damage to the eyes and other organs.
Answer to Question 2
Due to the increase in obesity, it is now recommended that children ages two and up be screened for their cholesterol levels and children who are found to have high levels of cholesterol should begin to take statin drugs as young as eight years of age.