Inactivity in Childhood Linked to Increased Heart Attack and Stroke Risk, New Study Reveals
Children and teenagers who spend excessive amounts of time being sedentary may face a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes in their later years, according to a new study presented at ESC Congress 2023. Even individuals with normal body weights and blood pressure are susceptible to cardiac damage if they accumulate significant sedentary time from childhood through young adulthood.
The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, focused on the sedentary time of young individuals as measured by smartwatches and its association with heart disease later in life. It is the first study of its kind to investigate this connection.
The research was carried out as part of the Children of the 1990s project, which is one of the largest cohorts with lifestyle assessments since birth. Children aged 11, 15, and 24 wore smartwatch activity trackers for seven days at each age. At the ages of 17 and 24, the researchers conducted echocardiograms to measure the weight of the left ventricle of the heart. This measurement is expressed as grams per cubic meter of height (g/m2.7).
After adjusting for variables that could impact the results, such as age, sex, blood pressure, body fat, smoking, physical activity, and socioeconomic status, the researchers examined the relationship between sedentary time between the ages of 11 and 24 and heart measurements between the ages of 17 and 24.
The findings revealed a concerning association: for every additional minute spent sitting between the ages of 11 and 24, there was a 0.004 g/m2.7 increase in left ventricular mass between the ages of 17 and 24. This equates to a daily rise of 0.7 g/m2.7 or a 3-gram increase in left ventricular mass when multiplied by the additional 169 minutes of inactivity.
Previous studies have shown that a similar rise in left ventricular mass (1 g/m2.7) over a period of seven years correlates with a twofold greater risk of heart disease, stroke, and mortality in adults.
Dr. Andrew Agbaje, the study’s lead author, emphasized the need for children and teenagers to be more physically active in order to safeguard their long-term health. He highlighted the fact that excessive screen time contributes to a heavier heart, which is known to increase the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes in adults.
Children in the study were found to be sedentary for over six hours a day, and this increased by nearly three hours by the time they reached young adulthood. Dr. Agbaje urges parents to encourage their children to engage in more physical activity, such as going for walks, while also limiting their time spent on social media and playing video games.
In conclusion, this groundbreaking study highlights the alarming connection between childhood inactivity and the risk of heart attacks and strokes later in life, regardless of body weight or blood pressure. The findings serve as a wake-up call for parents, emphasizing the importance of promoting an active lifestyle for children and teenagers. As the renowned Martin Luther King Jr. once said, If you can’t fly, run. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl. But by all means, keep moving.
