Obese children have blood vessel damage and insulin resistance that are precursors to atherosclerosis and diabetes, reveals research by Dr Norman Mangner presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2013.
The findings highlight the need to adopt a healthy lifestyle early in life to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD). Professor Grethe Tell, ESC prevention spokesperson, said: “One in 10 school-aged children is overweight. Bad habits have an impact on young hearts and the effects carry on until adulthood. Regular exercise and a healthy diet need to be part of daily life from childhood and it is essential that children do not take up smoking.” He added: “It is alarming to see that popular belief has it that you should wait until age 30 before looking after your heart health. The reality is that only a lifetime of avoiding common risk factors can be expected to prevent heart disease. ESC guidelines recommend that prevention should start during pregnancy and last throughout life.”
