Childhood Obesity Increases Kids' Risk for Heart Disease Later ...

(PCM) As if you needed another reason to keep your kids healthy and active, a new study suggests that obese children develop risk factors for heart disease that usually aren?t seen until adulthood. That?s pretty scary. The risk factors ? including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar levels and even thickening of the heart muscle ? can boost a child?s risk of heart disease by up to 40 percent, say British researchers.

Lead researcher Claire Friedemann, of the department of primary care health sciences at Oxford University reported:

?We really need to take action on childhood obesity from as young an age as possible. We have shown that obesity is not just about appearance but could have a long-term effect on the health of the child. By not fully tackling the problem, we could lose the progress that has been made in treating heart disease in recent years.?

Researchers found that, compared to normal-weight children, obese children had significantly higher blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels as well as thicker heart muscles, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke by 30 to 40 percent when they reach adulthood. (Source)

Being obese in childhood may significantly worsen the risk factors and health consequences associated with adult obesity, including the risk of diabetes, premature cardiovascular disease, and death.

?Although the size of the effect that obesity has on the health of children?s hearts is worrying, the good news is that they can all be improved with a healthy diet and exercise,? Friedemann said. ?These habits are much easier to begin in childhood and carry through to adulthood.?

Kids are never too young to learn proper nutrition and how to make healthy lifestyle choices!

More:
Predicted Obesity Rates in 2030: 39 States to Pass 50 Percent, Many to Triple
Top Concern for Parents This Upcoming School Year? Lack of Exercise

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Source: http://pcmlifestyle.com/2012/12/childhood-obesity-increases-kids-risk-for-heart-disease-later/

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