Obese Kids at Risk for Heart Disease: Study

Obesity and heart disease have always been interlinked in almost adult cases, but not in children. However, recent studies indicate that obese children as young as 8 manifested early signs of heart disease, reported WebMD.

The research by lead author, Linyuan Jing, a postdoctoral fellow with Geisinger Health System in Danville, Pa., gathered data from 40 children between the ages of 8 and 16. Equal number of subjects represented obese children and those with normal weight.

Jing conducted Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) where the scan revealed obese kids, 27 percent on average, exhibited more muscle mass in their heart's left ventricle with 12 percent overall muscle mass. The result indicated an alarming statistic that raises these kids' chances of having heart diseases in the future.

For 2011 to 2012, there were approximately 12.7 million obese children between the ages of 2 and 9. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defined childhood obesity as that which occur in children with a Body Mass Index (BMI) at or above the 85th percentile and below the 95th percentile for children and teens belonging to the same age and sex.

"BMI is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters.  For children and teens, BMI is age and sex-specific and is often referred to as BMI-for-age. A child's weight status is determined using an age- and sex-specific percentile for BMI rather than the BMI categories used for adults", according to CDC.

In a statement, Jing said, "It is both surprising and alarming to us that even the youngest obese children in our study who were 8 years old had evidence of heart disease." The structural changes, as evidenced in the scans, were indications of more complicated health in these kids adult life. On a more serious note, this could even result to early deaths. Jing also hoped that these results were reversible and that something had to be done.    

According to the American Heart Association, symptoms of heart failure in children include trouble breathing, stunted growth, and even excessive sweating. There are two causes of heart failure in kids; first is "overcirculation" and "pump failure". Both can be prevented with parents' intervention.

The study urges parents to educate their children regarding proper diet and wise choice of food. Experts also say that cutting back sugary treats will likely lessen chances of obesity, eventually preventing the onset of heart disease.