Filipino children as young as 10 years old may experience hypertension, a study by the Department of Science and Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) has found.
Patricia Isabel Amita, Science Research Specialist II at DOST-FNRI, said unhealthy lifestyles—particularly excessive screen time and gadget use—are among the contributing factors.
“Madalas nating isipin na yung hypertension ay sakit lang ng matatanda, pero pinapakita ng aming pag-aaral na maaari rin po itong maranasan ng ating mga kabataan. Sa aming pag-aaral na 10–17 years old, sila ang adolescents,” Amita said over state-television PTV.
“Nasa around 7% na raw ng ating Filipino adolescents ay mayroon nang hypertension. Para mas madaling maimagine, sa isang high school classroom na may 40, maaaring tatlong bata na rito ang may high blood pressure,” she added.
The DOST-FNRI noted that unhealthy behaviors, including prolonged screen time, may increase the risk of conditions such as being overweight, obesity, and hypertension.
“On its own, may mga masamang epekto yung sobrang screen time, kulang sa tulog at sobra sa pag-upo. Pero kapag ginawa mo ito ng sabay-sabay, mas tumataas yung chance ninyo na maging overweight, obese at magkaroon ng hypertension,” Amita explained.
To help address the issue, Amita advised parents to adopt simple measures to limit children’s screen time.
“Pina-practice natin ang no gadgets during meal times. Tayo dapat ang maging role model—sa atin dapat nagsisimula ang change,” she said.
