1/03/2010
Physical activity and balanced diet vital for healthy
childhood
Obese children as young as
three have heart disease warning signs.
A paper in
Pediatrics1 it was found that obese children
as young as three years old have elevated levels of C-reactive
protein, a marker of inflammation that is considered an
early warning
sign for possible future heart disease in adults.
BHF cardiac nurse Judy O’Sullivan says:
"This paper shows that
inflammatory markers, which are associated with an increased risk
of heart disease in adults, are raised in children who are obese.
Their interesting hypothesis, that elevated inflammatory markers in
childhood could increase the risk of developing diseases in later
life, such as a heart attack or stroke, requires further
research.
"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 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."
For more information please call the
BHF press office on 020 7554 0164 or 07764 290 381 (out of office
hours) or email newsdesk@bhf.org.uk
1Issued in response to paper in
Pediatrics Volume 125, Number 4, April 2010, titled ‘Multiple
Markers of Inflammation and Weight Status: Cross-sectional Analyses
Throughout Childhood’
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