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The study found that the heart health score of a child with an unhealthy lifestyle begins to decline from the age of 10
The age of 10 is particularly significant because this is when children often begin to adopt unhealthy eating habits. (News18 Hindi)
The risk of a heart attack later in life can be identified as early as in childhood, a new research has revealed. Based on this study, researchers have cautioned that if a child follows an unhealthy lifestyle and consumes a poor diet, their heart can begin to weaken by the age of 10. They explained that most people who suffer from heart problems today are either obese, consume an unhealthy diet, smoke, or lead a sedentary lifestyle.
Researchers at the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute have emphasised that childhood is a critical period during which future diseases can be prevented.
Age 10: A Crucial Milestone
According to a report in The Daily Mail, the research, published in JAMA Cardiology, analysed the health data of over 1,500 children aged between 3 and 16 years. The researchers assessed risk factors such as diet, physical activity, sleep duration, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and smoking habits. They further evaluated sugar and cholesterol levels in children aged 6-10 years and 11-16 years. Based on this data, they analysed the risks of heart attacks in these children.
The study found that the heart health score of a child with an unhealthy lifestyle begins to decline from the age of 10. Children who consume unhealthy food and do not exercise face a higher risk of heart damage. The age of 10 is particularly significant because this is when children often begin to adopt unhealthy eating habits, neglect proper sleep, and distance themselves from parental guidance. This period coincides with their transition to middle school, where they may develop poor lifestyle habits.
Medication From The Age Of 15
The study’s lead author, Dr Izzuddin Aris, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, highlighted the importance of improving children’s heart health early in life. He stated that this is the age when eating habits often begin to deteriorate. To ensure the future health of children, significant changes need to be implemented during this critical stage. Dr Aris explained that heart disease is commonly linked to fat accumulation in the arteries, increasing the risk of blood clots and heart attacks. Excessive weight at a young age also raises the likelihood of high blood pressure and high cholesterol, significantly amplifying the risk of heart disease.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 37 million children under the age of five are overweight globally. Meanwhile, a study by Cambridge University experts found that high or unstable cholesterol levels in childhood increase the risk of atherosclerosis – a condition linked to heart disease. Atherosclerosis occurs when cholesterol adheres to the arterial walls, narrowing the blood vessels and reducing blood flow to the heart. Over time, this condition can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
A Preventative Approach
The study’s leading heart experts recommend that children with poor lifestyles should consider taking statins (cholesterol-lowering medication) by the age of 15. This approach could significantly reduce the risk of severe heart diseases in later life. Early intervention and lifestyle improvements are critical to safeguarding the future health of children.