According to the latest US research, obese children as young as three years old show signs of future heart disease. A study of 16,000 children and teenagers showed the most obese had signs of an inflammatory marker which can predict future heart disease. About 40% of obese three-to-five-year olds had raised levels of C-reactive protein compared with 17% of healthy weight children, American Pediatrics stated. But more work is needed to prove the link with heart disease in later life.
The study looked at children aged one to 17. Overall, nearly 70% were a healthy weight, 15% were overweight, 11% were obese and 3.5% were very obese. In the older age groups, the proportion of those in the very obese category with high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) increased even further. By age 15-17, 83% of the very obese had increased CRP compared with 18% of the healthy weight children.
Because the damage seen in heart disease is caused by inflammation in artery walls, CRP can be used as a general marker for the risk of heart disease.
Study leader Dr Asheley Cockrell Skinner said the findings were a surprise, they are seeing a relationship between weight status and elevated inflammatory markers much earlier than they expected. Co-author Dr Eliana Perrin added: “In this study we were unable to tease apart whether the inflammation or the obesity came first, but one theory is that obesity leads to inflammation which then leads to heart and vessel disease later on. Though, a lot more work needs to be done before we figure out the full implication of these findings. But this study tells us that very young, obese children already have more inflammation than children who are not obese, and that’s very concerning. ”
Nevertheless, this study reinforces the importance of ensuring children maintain a healthy weight right from the start, to keep them healthy throughout their lives. Children also should be encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle and as part of this, regular physical activity and a balanced diet should be viewed as vital components.
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