British researchers report that obese children are at risk of developing heart disease, which usually doesn’t appear before adulthood, but puts their health at serious risk as they grow older.
These risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, blood sugar and thickening of the heart muscle, can increase the risk of heart disease by 40%, the authors of the study note.
“We really need to take action to address childhood obesity as early as possible,” said lead researcher Claire Friedemann of the University of Oxford. “We have proven that obesity is not only about appearance, it can have long-term effects on a child’s health.”
Friedemann's team analyzed the results of more than 60 studies that measured the weight and risk of cardiovascular disease in children aged 5 to 15 years. In total, more than 49,000 children were encompassed by these studies, which were conducted in highly developed countries and published in 2000-2011.
This type of research, known as meta-analysis, is used by scientists to identify common trends characteristic of several studies, in the hope of finding a stronger argument for a general conclusion.
In their analysis, the researchers found that, compared to children with normal weight, obese children had significantly higher levels of blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, as well as thickening of the heart muscles. Overweight children also had elevated blood pressure.
These factors can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke by 30% -40% when children become adults, researchers warn.
At the same time, scientists are encouraging: all these alarming indicators can be improved through a healthy diet and exercise. And to start it is much easier in childhood.
