A major global review of studies shows that high blood pressure in children has nearly doubled in twenty years. In 2000, about 3.2% of children had hypertension. By 2020, this rose to more than 6.2%, affecting an estimated 114 million people under 19. Studies say obesity is a key driver, with nearly 19% of children with obesity having high blood pressure, compared with less than 3% of children at a healthy weight. Researchers also found that many cases are missed in routine check-ups, including masked hypertension. Experts warn that early detection and simple preventive steps can reduce long-term risks.