Obese children have middle-aged arteries

Posted on 2008-11-13 08:14:13 in Cardio-Vascular | Child Health | Weight and Obesity |
Children who are overweight or obese may have as much atherosclerotic plaque build-up in their arteries as adults in their 40's, say researchers.

Children who are overweight or obese may have as much atherosclerotic plaque build-up in their arteries as adults in their 40's, say researchers.

Geetha Raghuveer and colleagues studied 70 children aged 6 to 19. All of the children involved in the study were at high risk of future cardiovascular disease because they had a high cholesterol level and/or were obese, or they had familial hypercholesterolemia. The thickness of the inner wall of each child's carotid artery (carotid intima-media thickness, or CIMT) was measured by ultrasound scan. A high CIMT reading indicates that there is a build-up of plaque in the carotid artery, and is associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Results showed that the average CIMT was 0.45 millimeters – a measurement usually associated with someone in their mid-40's – with some children having a CIMT of 0.75 millimeters. Obese children and children with high triglyceride levels were the most likely to have high CIMT readings. Overall, approximately 75% of children had a higher CIMT reading than would be expected for their age.

According to study leader Dr Raghuveer, the children's “vascular age” – the age at which the level of thickening would be considered normal for their gender and race – was roughly 30 years older than their chronological age. “There's a saying that ‘you're as old as your arteries,' meaning that the state of your arteries is more important than your actual age in the evolution of heart disease and stroke,” said Raghuveer in a news release. “We found that the state of the arteries in these children is more typical of a 45-year-old than of someone their own age.”

News release: Obese kids' artery plaque similar to middle-aged adults. American Heart Association Scientific Sesssions 2008. November 11th 2008.


Health Headlines

Coffee Promotes Blood Vessel Health
One to two cups of coffee daily may help to counteract aortic stiffness in older adults with hypertension.
Risks of Alzheimer’s Disease Rise with Insulin Resistance & Type-2 Diabetes
People with insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes appear to be at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease.
Berries Boost Brain Health
Blueberries and strawberries scrub up toxic proteins linked to age-related memory loss and cognitive decline.
Healthy Diet Mitigates Metabolic Syndrome
People with Metabolic Syndrome who follow a healthy diet may be up to twice as likely to reverse the condition.
Soy Compound May Reduce Cardiovascular Risk Factor
Soy isoflavones help to improve blood vessel endothelial cell function, potentially reducing cardiovascular disease risks.
Tai Chi Alleviates Fibromyalgia
Compared with an educational and stretching intervention, tai chi resulted with a greater overall improvement in fibromyalgia, in a 12-week long study.
Physiological Changes in Brain as We Age
University of Michigan (US) scientists identify breakdowns in brain connections that slow reaction times as we age.
Cinnamon Helps to Improve Antioxidant Status
Cinnamon extract helps to improve antioxidant status, potentially reducing risk factors associated with diabetes and heart disease.
Modest Weight Gain Can Prompt Cardiovascular Issues
Young people who add as little as 9 lbs of adominal fat are at increased risk for developing endothelial cell dysfunction, a precursor to cardiovascular disease
Green Leafy Vegetables Help Reduce Diabetes Risk
Eating 1.5 extra servings of green leafy vegetables daily may reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes by up to 14%.
Find an Anti-aging Doctor!

  
View Current Anti-Aging Newsletter!
Second Opinion with Dr. Ron Klatz
Solutions to improve your life, and your lifespan too.
radio tower Dr. Ronald Klatz, A4M physician founder, interviews the world’s top anti-aging experts in health, longevity, brain fitness, aesthetic beauty, and more. Get the answers to look and feel twenty years younger today.
Tune in to Second Opinion with Dr. Ronald Klatz. »

upcoming Events

U.S. Events
symposiums
workshops
congresses
Las Vegas
fellowships
fellowships
International Events
See all events »