0
0
A new study published in JAMA Cardiology on December 17 sheds light on a critical window for improving cardiovascular health (CVH) in children, pinpointing the age when CVH trajectories begin to decline. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major public health concern, with risk factors such as high blood pressure, abnormal blood sugar, elevated cholesterol, and obesity often originating in childhood. This research underscores the importance of early interventions to prevent future cardiovascular issues.
According to the study, CVH scores in children begin to decline around the age of 10, primarily due to changes in health behaviors rather than health factors. This age marks a pivotal moment when interventions could significantly improve cardiovascular health outcomes. The study used the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 guidelines, which assess cardiovascular health based on four behavioral factors—diet, smoking, physical activity, and sleep duration—and four health factors—body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels.
Despite these guidelines, U.S. children’s cardiovascular health remains suboptimal, with only 2% of children aged 2–19 achieving optimal CVH scores and fewer than one-third of children scoring between 80 and 100 points. The study, led by Dr. Izzuddin Aris, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, emphasizes that improving heart health in childhood is closely linked to lower risks of heart issues later in life. However, the current state of cardiovascular health among U.S. children is concerning.
“We now have a clearer understanding of how cardiovascular health develops in early life, and when it begins to deteriorate,” said Dr. Aris. “This gives us a critical opportunity to intervene and make lasting improvements in the health of our nation’s children.”
The research team analyzed data from more than 1,500 children enrolled in the Project Viva cohort, which tracks health outcomes from pre-birth through adolescence. By examining cardiovascular health metrics over the course of childhood, the researchers found that CVH scores begin to fall around age 10, a period often marked by significant changes in school schedules, diet, and sleep patterns that can interfere with maintaining healthy behaviors.
These findings highlight the importance of focusing on children between mid-childhood and early adolescence to optimize cardiovascular health. Improving health behaviors during this critical period—such as encouraging better sleep, promoting healthier diets, and increasing physical activity—could play a key role in reversing the decline of CVH.
Additionally, the study noted disparities in CVH trajectories based on maternal socioeconomic status, race, and ethnicity. Children from disadvantaged backgrounds or certain racial and ethnic groups experienced small but significant differences in their cardiovascular health outcomes. Dr. Aris suggests that factors like access to healthy food, safe spaces for physical activity, and overall neighborhood environments may contribute to these disparities.
“This study underscores the early influence of structural factors such as socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity on cardiovascular health, which may contribute to future health disparities,” said Dr. Aris. “By identifying the most vulnerable age for CVH decline and the role of these early life factors, we can better target preventive efforts and develop strategies to address these inequities.”
The findings from this study could play a crucial role in shaping public health policies and interventions aimed at improving cardiovascular health in children, particularly among those at highest risk of future health problems.
For more information, read the full study in JAMA Cardiology: Trajectory of Cardiovascular Health Across Childhood and Adolescence, DOI: 10.1001/jamacardio.2024.4022.
