The study found that the heart health score of a child with an unhealthy lifestyle starts to decrease by the age of 10.
The age of 10 is especially important because this is when children often begin to adopt unhealthy eating habits. (News 18 Hindi)
A new study has revealed that the risk of a heart attack later in life can be identified as early as childhood. Based on this study, researchers have warned that if a child follows an unhealthy lifestyle and consumes a poor diet, his heart may begin to weaken by the age of 10. They explained. That most people with heart problems today are either obese, have an unhealthy diet, smoke, or lead a sedentary lifestyle.
Researchers at the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute emphasize that childhood is a critical period during which future diseases can be prevented.
Age 10: An important milestone
According to a report in The Daily MailThe study, published in JAMA Cardiology, analyzed health data from more than 1,500 children ages 3 to 16. The researchers looked at risk factors such as diet, physical activity, sleep duration, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and smoking habits. They further examined sugar and cholesterol levels in children aged 6-10 years and 11-16 years. Based on this data, they analyzed the risk of heart attack in these children.
The study showed that the heart health score of a child with an unhealthy lifestyle starts to decrease from the age of 10. Children who eat unhealthy foods and don’t exercise have a higher risk of heart damage. The age of 10 is especially important because this is when children often begin to adopt unhealthy eating habits, neglect adequate sleep, and distance themselves from parental guidance. This period coincides with their transition to middle school, where they may develop poor lifestyle habits.
Medicine from age 15
The study’s lead author, Dr. Izzedin Ares, assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, highlighted the importance of improving children’s heart health early in life. This is the age when eating habits often start to deteriorate, he said. To ensure children’s future health, important changes need to be implemented during this critical phase. Dr. Ayres explained that heart disease is commonly associated with fatty deposits in the arteries, which increase the risk of blood clots and heart attacks. Being overweight at a young age also increases the chances of high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which significantly increase the risk of heart disease.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 37 million children under the age of five are overweight worldwide. Meanwhile, a study by experts at the University of Cambridge found that high or unstable cholesterol levels in childhood increase the risk of atherosclerosis – a condition linked to heart disease. Atherosclerosis occurs when cholesterol sticks to artery walls, narrowing blood vessels and reducing blood flow to the heart. Over time, this condition can lead to heart attack and stroke.
A preventive measure
The study’s leading cardiologists suggest that children with unhealthy lifestyles should consider taking statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs) by age 15. This method can significantly reduce the risk of serious heart diseases later in life. Early intervention and lifestyle improvements are critical to protecting children’s future health.