Obese children generally show symptoms of later heart problems, a new study finds.
The study was conducted by researchers from the American College of Cardiology. The researchers used two-dimensional echocardiography to examine the heart conditions of over 100 children and were surprised to find physical and functional signs of future heart problems already developing in obese children.
Echocardiograms were performed on 61 obese children and 40 non-obese children ages 9 to 16. Ultrasound was used to provide cross sectional images of the beating heart as well as an assessment of blood flow through the valves and chambers of the heart.
The study authors noted unique changes in the shape and function in the hearts of the obese children compared to the non-obese children in the study. In addition, obese children had significantly higher blood pressure and higher levels of LDL cholesterol, known as "bad" cholesterol, while HDL cholesterol, "good" cholesterol, was significantly lower. As a group, obese children also had a reduction in diastolic function, enlarged heart chambers signs of increased cardiac workload, and other unfavorable conditions.
"Children are ideal subjects to observe the effect of obesity on the heart," said the study's lead author Norman Mangner, M.D., of the Heart Center Leipzig, in a press statement. "This is because they are likely free of clinically relevant cardiovascular disease adults may suffer from."
The researchers also noted that additional studies need to be conducted to determine whether these changes and risks were reversible with weight loss. The study authors also need to conduct more research to determine the predictive value of these early cardiovascular changes.
Findings of the study were published online in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology
