A growing epidemic of childhood obesity worldwide will lead to an increase of premature heart attacks and strokes, say two studies out today.
Taken together, doctors say, the studies provide new evidence that excess weight does affect a child's long-term risk of heart disease and life expectancy. Previous studies have yielded conflicting results.
"The entire argument will be irrelevant, once the full effects of the childhood obesity epidemic are felt," says David Ludwig of Children's Hospital in Boston
The higher a child's body mass index
the higher his risk of getting heart disease
Childhood obesity in the U.S. will lead to a glut of heart attacks, strokes, episodes of avoidable chest pain, medical procedures and deaths.
| Year | Excess crises | Needless Deaths |
 |
| 2020 | 600 | 130 |
|
| 2025 | 5,400 | 550 |
|
| 2030 | 11,000 | 1,500 |
|
| 2035 | 37,000 | 3,700 |
|
Fitness resources and success stories
A 13-year-old boy in the highest weight category increased his risk of having a heart attack or other heart-related problem by 33%
No comments:
Post a Comment