Weight gain during puberty greatly increases the risk of later cardiovascular disease

He rz cycle: Strong weight gain in puberty a massive risk factor
Many children gain significantly weight at the beginning of puberty. Such strong weight gain during adolescence increases the risk of adult cardiovascular disease, according to a recent study by Swedish researchers. The increase in weight during adolescence also increases the risk of premature death from cardiovascular diseases, the scientists report in the journal "The Lancet - Diabetes & Endocrinology".

The research team at the University of Gothenburg has investigated the relationship between weight gain during adolescence and mortality risk from cardiovascular disease in boys in its current study. The Swedish scientists found that a strong weight gain in puberty was associated with a significantly increased likelihood of premature death due to cardiovascular disease. Monitoring weight gain during puberty can provide important clues to impending fatal cardiovascular events, the researchers report.

Obesity during puberty represents a massive risk factor for fatal cardiovascular events later in life. (Image: tortoon / fotolia.com)

Data from 38,000 men evaluated
According to the research team led by Professor Claes Ohlsson, previous studies have already shown that overweight in childhood and adolescence causes an increased risk of adult cardiovascular disease. However, it remains unclear to what extent there is an association with the mortality risk in cardiovascular diseases. Using data from a comprehensive epidemiological study of nearly 38,000 Swedish males from the birth years of 1945 to 1961 over a 20-year period, the researchers looked at the effects of adolescent body weight on the risk of fatal cardiovascular events.

Weight in puberty with significant effects
In total, 3,188 deaths occurred during the study period, of which 710 were due to cardiovascular diseases, the researchers report. When compared to the body mass index (BMI) in adolescence, the researchers found that cardiovascular mortality in boys who became overweight during adolescence and boys who were overweight throughout adolescence and puberty, was significantly higher than normal-weighted adolescents and boys who were fat in childhood and reduced their obesity during puberty.

Watching weight control during puberty?
Overall, it became clear that an excessive BMI increase during puberty is a risk marker of cardiovascular mortality, while BMI remains unaffected in childhood, the researchers report. "These results show that BMI should be monitored during adolescence to identify boys with an increased risk of adult cardiovascular mortality," the Swedish researchers concluded. (Fp)