Some Obese Kids Have Middle-Aged Arteries

Studies Show Children As Young As 10 Have Heart Conditions Associated With 45-Year-Olds

(CBS/AP)  Obese children as young as 10 had the arteries of 45-year-olds and other heart abnormalities greatly increasing their risk of heart disease, say doctors who used ultrasound tests to take a peek inside.

The studies, reported Tuesday at an American Heart Association conference, found about a third of American children are overweight and one-fifth are obese.

"It reiterates what we know - which is there's an obesity epidemic," Dr. Travis Stork, host of the T.V. show "The Doctors," tells CBS News' The Early Show. "Nine million kids are overweight. This is a study of 70 kids, but they're looking at the arteries at the average age of 13. And their arteries are the age of a 45-year-old.

"In the world of medicine, there's a saying: 'You're only as young as your oldest part.' This is going to lead to strokes, heart attacks. This is probably going to take five, ten, 15, 20 years off these kids' lives."

Many parents think "baby fat" will melt away as kids get older. But research increasingly shows fat kids become fat adults, with higher risks for many health problems.

"Obesity is not benign in children and adolescents," said Dr. Robert Eckel, a former heart association president and cardiologist at the University of Colorado-Denver.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently recommended cholesterol-lowering drugs for some kids, he noted.

Raghuveer wanted to see if early signs of damage could be documented. She and colleagues used ultrasound to measure the thickness of the wall of a major neck artery in 70 children, ages 10 to 16. Almost all had abnormal cholesterol and many were obese.

No one knows precisely how thick a 10-year-old's artery should be, since they're not regularly checked for signs of heart disease, but they do know that they should not look like those of people much older and larger.

Researchers used tables for 45-year-olds, who often do get such exams, found the kids' "vascular age" was about 30 years older than their actual age.

A separate study tied childhood obesity to abnormal enlargement of the left atrium, one of the chambers of the heart. Enlargement is a known risk factor for heart disease, stroke and heart rhythm problems.

Julian Ayer, a researcher at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney Australia, did ultrasound exams on 991 seemingly healthy children ages 5 to 15. He saw a clear link between rising weight and size of the left atrium.

A third study by Dr. Walter Abhayaratna of Australian National University in Canberra, Australia, found impairment in the heart's ability to relax between beats in children who were overweight or obese.

The study involved the first 150 children participating in a larger community-based study.

Earlier research, he helped conduct, found more rigid arteries in such children - a possible sign of plaque deposits starting to form.

"Even at this young age of 10, you can have children who have got arterial stiffness who are comparable to 30- and 40-year-olds," he said.

Dr. Michael Schloss, a New York University heart disease prevention specialist, said the evidence shows obesity is more than a cosmetic issue for children.

"If you've seen what's on the menu for most school lunches, these findings are no surprise," he said. "The time has come to seriously deal with the issue of childhood obesity and physical inactivity on a governmental and parental level."

[drivelphobe]

hologram5...

Have a nice day. It has you wondering about what your "friends" are thinking about you, doesn''t it?

I may be an idiot by your standards, but I am right on target about you.

I have two friends who are marginally obese, and their condition and outrageous focus on consumption of poor food choices, makes all who know them sick to their stomachs. They are nice people, but both suffer from joint problems, constant kidney stone issues, flatulence and bowel disorders, back pain and unsightliness. Each is at least 60-70 pounds overweight and walks with the fatman gait, a certain wobbling, propulsive manner that all recognize.

They are always starving, eat massive meals of whatever they want, drink sodas, eat See''s candies on a regular basis, complain constantly about being hot, and the female whines about how big she feels and that it''s difficult to find the right clothes.

They are friends for many years and I would do anything to help them. However, it is embarrassing to be seen with them and all who know them and are part of the circle of friends, wonder why they continue to get heavier, complain all the time and yet tell us that "life is short, so why not eat what you want and enjoy life?"

That''s it in a nut shell. Off with you now so you can prepare to ingest for the day.

Oh by the way, how large are your kids?

[hologram5]

Drivelphobe, you are an idiot. You spew out garbage without engaging your brain. These fat people whose friends are embaressed, do you have facts to back that up? Or are you one of those two-faced people that are nice to one''s face but downtalk them behind their back. People like that are NOT friends.

[honestabe8]

Sure, the kids are getting old before their time due to McBurger, but at least they have had lots of "Happy Meals", so they are likely pretty happy. Why would anyone trust a clown for dietary advice?

[formrusmcsgt]

"Obesity is not benign in children and adolescents,"
---
Keep loading up junior with burgers and fries and bury him before you die.

[shanev137]

drivelphobe - you''re probably a fat old basturd.

[drivelphobe]

Obese children are a sorry sight, but unfortunately, they come from obese parents who are blind to the condition of their children. There is nothing anyone can do about it unless the parents, who obviously care little about their own pitiful condition, become motivated to change their lifestyle and that of their fat little kids.

I just accept fat people for what they are and ignore them. There is nothing more repulsive to me than an overweight female. I guess that same feeling probably exists towards fat males by lithe and healthy females.

The obesity plague is ruining our healthcare system, our public transportation, and our economy. The good news is that they have shorter life expectancies and have some difficulty breeding. They are also rejected by many potential mates and therefore less likely to have offspring.

If you are fat, it is true that even your closest friend is embarrassed to be seen with you and they all talk about you behind your back.

It is very easy to maintain a normal weight. It is simply some exercise and eating properly. If you can''t do that, you deserve the consequences. Fat people make less money, have less fun, smell, and embarrass their friends and family.