Numerous factors contribute to obesity and high blood pressure (hypertension). The conditions share similar contributing factors, such as excess body weight, environmental factors, heredity and unhealthy diet. According to the World Health Organization, more than 300 billion adults are obese worldwide and most obese individuals have high blood pressure. Understanding the causes of these conditions is important, as it may lead to prevention and treatment of obesity and obesity-related problems.
Excess Body Weight
Carrying excessive amounts of body weight increases a person’s risk for obesity and high blood pressure. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, being overweight or obese may result from an energy imbalance, or consuming more calories (energy attained through food) than those burned through daily physical activity and exercise. Excess body weight also increases blood pressure. The Mayo Clinic explains that the more a person weighs, the more blood is required in order to distribute oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. As the blood supply increases in volume, so does the pressure on arterial walls, commonly resulting in high blood pressure.
Unhealthy Diet
Beyond the amount of calories a person consumes and expends, the types of food and nutrients a person eats may also contribute to obesity and high blood pressure. According to the Mayo Clinic, excessive sodium (salt) intake can cause the body to retain fluids, which can increase blood pressure. A diet low in potassium–a mineral found in Lima beans, fruits, vegetables and fish–can also negatively influence blood pressure, since potassium helps balance sodium in the body. The WHO states that consumption of energy-dense foods, such as saturated fats and added sugars, is a significant cause of obesity.
Environmental Factors
When a person’s work, school or home environment doesn’t support healthy dietary and lifestyle habits, obesity may result. The CDC sites excessive television-watching or computer time at home, school lunch programs that offer too few healthy food options to students and lack of physical activity access on job-sites as contributing causes to obesity. These factors also increase a person’s risk for high blood pressure, for which poor-diet and physical inactivity are primary risk-factors.
Genetics
Though lifestyle factors seem to play a greater role in determining whether a person will become obese, genetics do play a role. In addition, the CDC suggests that genes can actually cause obesity if a person has genetic disorders such as Bardet-Biedl syndrome or Prader-Willi syndrome. According to the Mayo Clinic, high blood pressure tends to run in families.
