Obesity in early life seems to increase heart disease risk later on. A latest study claims that kids with a greater BMI between 9 and 12 years of age have high blood pressure, cholesterol and blood insulin levels in adolescence. It was asserted that high BMI children losing weight by the time of adolescence have lower heart disease than those remaining overweight.
5,235 children enrolled in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) were analyzed. Authors checked the children’s BMI, waist circumference, and fat mass between the ages of 9 to 12 years. By the time of adolescence, i.e. 15 -16 years of age their blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose and insulin levels were thoroughly examined. It was concluded that high BMI at age 9-12 leads to a heightened risk for adverse heart disease at the age of 15-16 years.
Professor Debbie Lawlor from Bristol’s School of Social and Community Medicine, lead author of the study and colleagues found link between waist circumference or fat mass measurements and heart disease risk factors appeared. Overweight kids shedding weight by the time of adolescence probably have better heart disease risk profiles than high BMI children. It was suggested that interventions for safely and effectively reducing weight can be introduced.
The study was published on bmj.com.