Association of mood disorders with cardiovascular disease risk factors in overweight and obese youth with elevated blood pressure

The American Heart Association defines mood disorders ( MDO ) as a tier‐ II cardiovascular disease risk factor in children. Cross‐sectional analysis of overweight/obese children referred to an obesity hypertension clinic revealed 37% had a MDO (defined by clinical diagnosis or Patient Health Questionnaire‐9/‐A score ≥10), 55% had confirmed hypertension, and 75% left ventricular hypertrophy ( LVH ). Children with MDO s were older, had greater measures of adiposity, and had a greater prevalence of hypertension (78%) than those without MDO s (42%; P = .04). Hypertensive children were 2.8 times more likely to have a MDO than those without (52% vs 18%; P = .02). Multivariable logistic regression revealed a statistically significant independent association of MDO s with hypertension (Odds Ratio [ OR ] 6.3, P = .048), but not LVH ( LVMI ≥ 51 g/m 2.7 ; OR 1.13, P = .88). Overall, the prevalence of MDO s in this group of overweight/obese children with elevated blood pressure was well above national averages, suggesting that at‐risk youth, particularly those with confirmed hypertension, should be regularly screened for MDO s.