“Because that implies that children younger than eight could have signs of heart disease as well”.
Advertisement
Obese children had 12% thicker heart muscle overall compared to the normal-weight children.
Furthermore, 40% of these children were considered to be at “high risk” because of the thickened muscles in their heart.
Although none had outward physical symptoms, the researchers said that it was likely that the effects they detected could cause problems in later life. The 40 children in the study received magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure the heart dimensions and functioning. The 10-week family-centered program held by the Denver area Children’s Hospital teaches youth and their parents ways to lead a healthier more active lifestyle, as a longer lasting weight-loss alternative to dieting.
‘Ultimately we hope that the effects we see in the hearts of these children are reversible; however, it is possible that there could be permanent damage.
New research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2015 by lead study author Linyuan Jing, PhD, adds another worrying finding to the tsunami of weight-related health news. Thickening of the heart muscle, which can interfere with the heart’s ability to pump blood, has been seen in obese children as young as eight years old.
Lack of regular physical activity and high amounts of screen time in front of televisions and computers has been cited as part of the problem.
Despite childhood obesity being a common problem, researchers were surprised to see evidence of heart disease among those as young as 8 years old.
Obesity and heart disease have always been interlinked in nearly adult cases, but not in children. Pediatric obesity is determined by whether a child’s body mass Index – a calculation derived from a child’s height and weight – exceeds the 95th percentile.
The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and by the American Heart Association Great Rivers Affiliate.
In addition to signs of heart disease, a few of the children in the study had other conditions linked to obesity, including elevated blood pressure, asthma and depression, the researchers reported. The changes in heart muscle mass “suggest a significant increase in risk of heart failure, arrhythmia [irregular heartbeat] and premature cardiovascular death in children with obesity”, said Fonarow, who was not involved with the study.
A significant number of the obese children, who ranged in age from 16 down to as young as eight, were found to have early signs of abnormalities of the heart muscles.
The study did not include kids with diabetes and those too large to fit inside the MRI scanning machine, so it may actually underestimate the extent of the problem. The health risks associated with extra weight are not news, of course, but scientists have a new concern among the youngest and the heaviest.
Jing said parents have a responsibility to help their children maintain a healthy weight.
Advertisement
“In addition, schools and communities need to do a better job at educating both the parents and children about the health risks of overweight and obesity”, said Jing.
