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Toddlers, Obese Children More Vulnerable to Smoke
Reported November 30, 2009
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Toddlers and obese children suffer more than
just respiratory problems when exposed to secondhand smoke.
New American Heart Association research suggests in toddlers and obese
children, secondhand smoke can cause changes similar to those associated
with heart disease in adults.
"Our data support the view that cardiovascular effects of secondhand smoke
in children are important, particularly for the very young and those who are
obese," John Anthony Bauer, Ph.D., senior co-author of the study, was quoted
as saying.
Results of the study show a link between the amount of secondhand smoke
exposure and a marker of vascular injury in toddlers, which was two times
greater in obese toddlers. In addition, researchers found obese teenagers
exposed to secondhand smoke had two times the evidence of vascular injury
compared to teens of a normal weight range. Toddlers exposed to secondhand
smoke showed a 30 percent reduction in the number of circulating vascular
endothelial progenitor cells, which are involved in the repair and
maintenance of a healthy blood vessel system.
Dr. Bauer and his team examined a cross-section of children at one point in
time to determine if children exposed to secondhand smoke had measurable
changes in markers for heart disease.
Source: Presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions,
2009 |
