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 MDOs were older, had greater measures of adiposity, and had a greater prevalence of hypertension (78%) than those without MDOs (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 MDOs 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 MDOs 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 MDOs.