Be-HealthY: Behavioral Risk Factors for Poor Vascular Health in Youth

Be-HealthY: Behavioral Risk Factors for Poor Vascular Health in Youth

The investigators aim to determine the association of dietary intake on cardiovascular disease risk factors among children with overweight and obesity who are being evaluated for elevated blood pressure.

The investigators will also investigate for predictors of vascular function and determine if predictors vary by level of sodium intake.

This research is being done to determine if the food or salt eaten can cause arteries to be stiffer and/or not work as well and if it can impact blood pressure over a 24-hour period of time. The investigators also want to determine if there are any risk factors or blood tests that can predict how stiff arteries are or how well arteries function. The investigators hope that the information from this study will help the investigators prevent blood pressure-related cardiovascular disease in children. This knowledge could help shape future guidelines on how to best prevent and treat high blood pressure and heart disease in children.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Overweight or obese
• Elevated blood pressure
• Referred to the ReNEW Clinic at Johns Hopkins University for evaluation and treatment of elevated blood pressure.

Exclusion Criteria:

• The only children who will not be eligible for inclusion in this study are those who are non-English speaking.