Childhood obesity and adult cardiovascular disease risk: a systematic review

Abstract

Background: Although the relationship between adult obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been shown, the relationship with childhood obesity remains unclear. Given the evidence of tracking of body mass index (BMI) from childhood to adulthood, this systematic review investigated the independent relationship between childhood BMI and adult CVD risk. Objective: To investigate the association between childhood BMI and adult CVD risk, and whether the associations observed are independent of adult BMI. Design: Electronic databases were searched from inception until July 2008 for studies investigating the association between childhood BMI and adult CVD risk. Two investigators independently reviewed studies for eligibility according to inclusion/ exclusion criteria, extracted the data and assessed study quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Results: Positive associations between childhood BMI and adult blood pressure or carotid intima-media thickness were generally attenuated once adjusted for adult BMI. Associations between childhood BMI and CVD morbidity/mortality had not been adjusted and do not provide evidence of an independent relationship. Negative associations between childhood BMI and blood pressure were observed in several adjusted data sets. Conclusions: Little evidence was found to suggest that childhood obesity is an independent risk factor for CVD risk. Instead, the data suggest that relationships observed are dependent on the tracking of BMI from childhood to adulthood. Importantly, evidence suggests that risk of raised blood pressure is highest in those who are at the lower end of the BMI scale in childhood and overweight in adulthood. The findings challenge the widely accepted view that the presence of childhood obesity is an independent risk factor for CVD and that this period should be a priority for public health intervention. Although interventions during childhood may be important in prevention of adult obesity, it is important to avoid the potential for negative consequences when the timing coincides with critical stages of neurological, behavioural and physical development.

Abdominal Obesity Associated with Elevated Serum Butyrylcholinesterase Activity, Insulin Resistance and Reduced High Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol Levels

“…It is plausible to hypothesis that increased vascular disease especially at the level of the brain may in turn affect memory function. Obesity results in insulin resistance [19,27,28]. Insulin has a significant role on modulation of synaptic plasticity and learning memory [29].…”

Childhood obesity: the impact on long-term risk of metabolic and CVD is not necessarily inevitable

“…Previous systematic reviews have clearly demonstrated an association between childhood BMI and adult disease risk, but have also highlighted a gap in the evidence base surrounding the unknown independent contribution of childhood BMI (5)(6)(7) . We therefore systematically reviewed the literature with the specific objective of assessing whether the association between childhood BMI and adult disease risk were fully dependent on adult BMI (22,23) .…”

Tumor Necrosis Factor-Α, Interleukin-6, C-Reactive Protein Levels and Insulin Resistance Associated with Type 2 Diabetes in Abdominal Obesity Women

“…Human data linking inflammation to insulin resistance that demonstrated inter-relations between systemic markers of inflammation (CRP) and the presence of insulin resistance in adults [4,5] and adolescents [6,7]. Obesity results in insulin resistance [8][9][10]. Although certain proportions of cardiovascular disorders are attributed to the secondary complications of obesity (e.g., hypertension, atherosclerosis, T2DM and aging), a direct deleterious effect of obesity on the cardiovascular system is now clearly evident.…”