Washington D.C., June 13: Not only adults but even young children who are overweight are at risk of future heart attack and stroke. Overweight four-year-olds have a doubled risk of high blood pressure by the age of six, claims a recent research. The study was published in the journal 'European Journal of Preventive Cardiology'. Bullying Overweight Children Increases Their Weight Even More, Finds New Study.
"The myth that excess weight in children has no consequences hampers the prevention and control of this health problem. Parents need to be more physically active with young children and provide a healthy diet.
Women should shed extra pounds before becoming pregnant, avoid gaining excess weight during pregnancy, and quit smoking, as these are all established risk factors for childhood obesity," said Dr Inaki Galan, the study's author.
According to the World Health Organization, childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. The problem is global and the prevalence has increased at an alarming rate. In 2016, more than 41 million children under the age of five were overweight.
The study examined the link between excess weight and high blood pressure in 1,796 four-year-olds who were followed up two years later. Blood pressure was measured at both time points, as was body mass index (BMI in kg/m2) and waist circumference.Compared to children maintaining a healthy weight between ages four and six, those with new or persistent excess weight according to BMI had 2-conflict-as-north-korea-leader-stays-out-while-us-and-russia-engage-triggering-world-war-3-fears-6937914.html" class="drop-thumb-link" title="Kim Jong Un Memes Go Viral Amid Israel-Iran Conflict As North Korea Leader Stays Out While US and Russia Engage, Triggering World War 3 Fears">Kim Jong Un Memes Go Viral Amid Israel-Iran Conflict As North Korea Leader Stays Out While US and Russia Engage, Triggering World War 3 Fears