New Research Shows Childhood Inactivity May Increase Risk for Heart Disease Later in Life
A new study conducted by the Urfit-child research group at the University of Eastern Finland’s School of Medicine has found that childhood inactivity may be linked to an increased risk of heart disease in adulthood. The research, which will be presented at the European Society of Cardiology’s ESC Congress 2023 in Amsterdam, reveals that sedentary behavior in children is associated with an increase in the mass of the heart’s left ventricle.
An enlarged heart, or left ventricular hypertrophy, indicates that the heart is overworked due to a stressful situation. Lead study author Dr. Andrew Agbaje explains that an increase in sedentary time in children is often accompanied by a decrease in light-intensity physical activity. This shift in lifestyle habits can lead to an enlarged heart, which is a strong predictor of future cardiac events.
The study collected data from the Children of the 90s cohort study, which measured lifestyle factors in 766 children from ages 11 to 24. The children wore activity monitors at various ages throughout the study, revealing that sedentary time increased from six hours a day at age 11 to nearly nine hours a day by the end of the research period.
Interestingly, the study found that the association between sedentary time and heart disease risk was primarily observed in girls. However, researchers note that further investigation with a larger group of participants is necessary to understand the potential gender differences.
Dr. Nieca Goldberg, medical director of Atria New York City and clinical associate professor of medicine at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine, emphasizes the importance of this study’s findings in highlighting the negative impact of sedentary behavior on heart health. The preliminary nature of the research and its relatively small sample size are acknowledged, but the study serves as a reminder of the need to prioritize healthy behaviors in childhood.
On a positive note, the research also suggests that light-intensity physical activity has the potential to reverse the heart’s enlargement caused by sedentary time. Dr. Agbaje encourages doctors and parents to promote at least three to four hours of light physical activity daily for better heart health in children. Activities such as walking and cycling are excellent options that can bring about significant health benefits.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children aged 6 to 17 should engage in at least an hour of physical activity each day. Unfortunately, a 2020 survey found that less than a quarter of students meet this recommendation.
To encourage children to engage in physical activity, Dr. Goldberg advises focusing on activities they enjoy, as it increases the likelihood of long-term adherence. She suggests options such as walking, cycling, dancing, and swimming, all of which provide aerobic benefits.
Dr. Andrew Freeman, director of cardiovascular prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health, stresses the importance of prioritizing health from an early age. The habits formed in childhood have a lasting effect on overall well-being, and he encourages integrating healthy behaviors into daily life to achieve long-term positive outcomes.
While further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between childhood inactivity and heart disease, this study serves as a reminder of the critical role of physical activity in promoting heart health from a young age. By encouraging children to engage in regular exercise and reduce sedentary time, we can help them maintain healthy hearts and live long, well-rounded lives.