A study by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in the US has recently published a study which suggests that childhood obesity can have serious short and long term consequences. Girls as young as nine showed an increased risk of heart disease as a result of being overweight. Further, girls who were overweight at 9 were nearly 15 times more likely to be overweight as young adults as those who were a normal weight at the same age.
Higher blood pressure and unhealthy changes in cholesterol and triglycerides in the bloodstream suggest that the long term consequences of childhood fat could be serious. Also demonstrated was the fact that the years between 9 and 12 are crucial in determining whether or not a child will be overweight as an adult: once weight is gained at this early age, it is appears to be extremely difficult to shed.
More than 2,300 girls aged 9 and 10 were enrolled in the study and followed for more than 10 years. The study group measured the height, weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels of the subjects every year until they were 18, with extra measurements being made at the ages of 21 and 23.