(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- The age at which children are at
their lowest body mass index (BMI) can be a sign of whether they are at risk for
heart disease.
Researchers from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine looked at “BMI
rebound age” – the age BMI reaches its lowest point before increasing through
our lifespan – in 308 children beginning at age three. The study then analyzed
the children’s cardiovascular risk factors at age seven.
Healthy children began the study when they were three years old. Researchers
measured their BMI every four months for the next four years. The BMI low point
is between ages four and seven.
Results show earlier BMI rebound age was associated with risk factors for heart
disease such as higher BMI, higher blood pressure, higher serum insulin and
leptin levels, higher left ventricle mass and left arterial size.
The study divided the children into three groups depending on their age of BMI
rebound - early BMI rebound age was below the 25th percentile; middle BMI
rebound was between the 25th and 75th percentiles; and late BMI rebound age was
above the 75th percentile.
In the 25th percentile, the report shows the BMI rebound age was 4.4 for boys
and 4.2 for girls; in the 75th percentile it was 6.6 for boys and 5.7 for girls.
“The study implies that girls may have earlier BMI rebound age than boys,”
senior author Thomas R. Kimball, M.D., University of Cincinnati College of
Medicine, was quoted as saying. “Earlier rebound age correlates with greater
likelihood to become obese adults, so girls may be more at risk to become obese
adults.”
Because of these findings Dr. Kimball says it is important for doctors to
measure BMI and BMI rebound age in younger children as well as adolescents.
SOURCE: American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions in Orlando, Florida,
Nov. 4-7, 2007
