LAUSR

Objective: In recent years, Greece has been going through a period of economic crisis with social and economic implications, changes in the family budget and influences on the eating habits of children, resulting in child obesity in Greece being in the first place globally whereas in other countries it has started to show a decline. The latest report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shows that 44% of schoolboys and 38% of schoolgirls in Greece are obese or overweight. Design and method: The purpose of the study is to determine the existence of an inverse relationship between childhood obesity, and by extension of childhood hypertension, and the economic crisis plaguing Greek households. Methodology: This is a systematic review study. The relationship between economic household data and childhood hypertension during the last 5 years of the economic crisis was researched in Greek and international literature found in electronic databases (MEDLINE, PUBMED). Results: It is striking that, the more the annual family income decreases, the greater the rate of childhood obesity is. According to research, the economic crisis being experienced by Greece and the reduction of income leads to cheap calorific diet resulting in weight gain in children and adolescents, thus putting the health of Greek children at risk. Numerous studies have shown that 9–13% of overweight children have elevated blood pressure, as do 30% of obese children. Also, 65% of five to ten-year-old obese children, exhibit at least one of the main cardiovascular risk factors, i.e., hypertension and hyperlipidaemia. Conclusions: The economic conditions have affected the diet and lifestyle of Greek people. So, the frequency of hypertension in children has increased in families with low income, mainly due to changes in eating habits, rendering it necessary to educate children and parents on the value of a healthy and balanced diet, and more specifically of the Mediterranean diet.