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Weight Gain During Puberty in Boys Increases Risk of Heart Disease

by Julia Samuel on Nov 11 2016 3:22 PM

Weight Gain During Puberty in Boys Increases Risk of Heart Disease
Boys with excessive weight gain during puberty are at increased risk of death due to heart disease later in life, than those who are already overweight a study reveals.
The study included over 37,600 men and the change in body mass index (BMI) during puberty was calculated using BMI values at eight and 20 years of age.

Increased cardiovascular mortality was seen in boys with a large increase in BMI during puberty, while there was no increased risk for those who were overweight prior to puberty but whose BMI normalised during puberty. Thus, excessive BMI increase during puberty seems unhealthy.

The study evaluated the contribution of BMI during the two distinct developmental periods -- childhood and puberty for cardiovascular mortality in adult men.

"In this study, we show that a large increase in BMI during puberty is particularly important, while high BMI at age eight is not linked to increased risk of cardiovascular death," said Jenny Kindblom, Associate Professor at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

According to the present study, the increased risks occur in the group of boys whose BMI increased by more than seven BMI units during puberty. Within this group, the risk of death due to cardiovascular disease later in life increases by 22% for every BMI unit.

Parents must keep a watch on their kids to reduce excessive weight gain when they are around 13 years old and above. Involving in a sport, reduce the TV viewing time and avoiding high fat snacks in between meals does have an impact.

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Source-Medindia


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