Obese teens at high risk of heart disease as adults
Overweight teenagers have a significant risk of developing heart disease as adults. Teenage boys are at an even higher risk, and according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, even if they slim down as adults, men who were even a little bit overweight as teens are seven times more likely to get heart disease in their mid-30s.
The good news is that the risk of diabetes declines as an individual loses weight. So even if an adult was overweight as a teenager, as his or her weight declines so does their risk of developing diabetes.
The risk of heart disease, even as a thin or normal weight adult, is shocking, but only reinforces the importance of a healthy diet and regular exercise for kids and teenagers. An attitude of “I’ll do it tomorrow,” is dangerous. Literally. Is sitting on the sofa playing one more video game really worth the risk of heart disease. which could lead to early death, worth it?
Daniel Marks, M.D., who is a pediatric endocrinologist at Oregon Health and Sciences University in Portland, tells CNN in a recent article that it is an individual’s lifestyle that is the determining factor in whether or not they develop heart disease or diabetes. He explains that two people with the same body mass index (BMI) could have very different risks for both diabetes and heart disease if one of them exercises regularly and the other does not.
The lesson that can be derived from this recent study: keep kids active. Participation in youth sports, family trips to the gym or even an evening walk around the neighborhood each evening can make a significant difference in reducing the risk of both diabetes and heart disease.
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