A new study shows that children with high body mass index and high cholesterol show signs of heart disease as young adults.

How early should screening for heart disease risk factors begin? Currently, people under 20 are excluded from, say, routine cholesterol checks, unless they have a family history of the problem. New research from Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, seems to indicate that maybe earlier assessment might be valuable.

The team surveyed a group of nearly 500 young adults who had been having traditional heart disease risk factors monitored since their early childhood. This showed that children who had high low density lipoprotein (LDL or 'bad') cholesterol and high body mass index went on to develop signs of heart disease. The researchers assessed adult heart disease risk through ultrasound measurements of the thickness of the carotid artery in the neck. Thickening is known to be indicative of heart disease, even though the person may not have any symptoms. The findings suggests that heart disease may well begin at a very young age and it may be worthwhile screening youngsters. It's also important to encourage children to eat healthily and take sufficient exercise.

Source

Journal of the American Medical Association 5th November 2003