New research has revealed one in ten children have high blood pressure, which puts them at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

A survey held in five primary schools as a prelude to the Cork Children's Lifestyle Study found 11 per cent of youngsters had high blood pressure based on guidelines from the British Hypertension Society.

Regularly adding large amounts of salt to food is thought to be a contributing factor in why an increasing number of children are displaying conditions previously only seen in adults.

The study revealed 50 per cent of youngsters add salt to their food most days, despite Health and Nutrition Foundation manager Muireann Cullen claiming adding salt to a child's meals is unnecessary.

Dr Janas Harrington, of University College Cork's department of epidemiology and public health, who is leading the study with Professor Ivan Perry, commented: "International studies find children as young as nine have elevated blood pressure.

"Here, we're now seeing diseases in children, such as diabetes, that would traditionally have been seen in adults."

Written by Donal Walsh

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