Heart Disease Risk Starts Early
Reported November 07, 2007
(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 childrens 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 Associations Scientific Sessions in Orlando, Florida, Nov. 4-7, 2007