Heart problems in middle age linked to teenage obesity

June 17, 2016

Records of more than 1.6 million Swedish men studied from 18th birthdays
Found overweight teens more likely to suffer heart failure in 40s or 50s
Researchers say study suggests heart failure to become a major threat

Ben Spencer Medical Correspondent For The Daily Mail

Published:
20:03 EST, 16 June 2016

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Updated:
05:02 EST, 17 June 2016

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People who are overweight in their teens are far more likely to suffer heart failure in their 40s or 50s, according to a major study

Heart problems in middle age can be accurately predicted by how much someone weighs as a teenager, scientists have found.

People who are overweight in their teens are far more likely to suffer heart failure in their 40s or 50s, according to a major study.

Surprisingly, even those who were judged to have a ‘normal’ body weight in adolescence were more likely to be at risk of heart problems than those who were thinner.

Scientists analysed the health records of more than 1.6 million Swedish men from their 18th birthday.

The team, led by the Sahlgrenska Academy in Gothenburg, calculated the body mass index – or BMI – of armed forces conscripts, based on their height and weight, and then analysed their health data for the next 42 years.

They found that in men with a BMI score of 20 and over – which is well within the ‘normal range’ – the risk of suffering heart failure increased by 16 per cent for every additional BMI unit.

The BMI system compares someone’s weight with their height.

Those with a score of 18.5 or under are considered ‘underweight’, 18.5 to 25 ‘normal’, above 25 ‘overweight’ while over 30 is ‘obese.’

Study leader Professor Annika Rosengren, whose work is published in the European Heart Journal, said: ‘Although most studies define a normal weight as having a BMI between 18.5 and 25, this is probably not an appropriate definition in the young, most of whom are naturally thin.

‘This may be why we see an increase in the risk of heart failure starting at a fairly low BMI level. However, it was surprising to see the very steep increase in risk with increasing body weight above a BMI of 20.

‘Given the global trend for growing numbers of teenagers to be overweight and obese, our findings suggest that heart failure, which in this study occurred at the relatively early average age of about 47 may well become a major threat to health worldwide.’

She added: ‘Action needs to be taken by governments as well as by individuals, for instance by creating an environment that does not promote overweight and obesity, and that encourages people not to be sedentary and not to eat more than they need.

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‘This is more important than hassling people into dieting whatever shape they are. Once established, overweight and obesity is much harder to tackle.’

Compared with men who had a BMI of between 18.5 and 20 at the time of conscription, men with a BMI of 20 to 22.5 had a 22 per cent increased risk of heart failure.

The risk doubled for those with a BMI between 22.5 and 25, and more than tripled for those with a BMI between 25 and 27.5. For those as obese – with a BMI between 30 and 35 – the risk increased six-fold.

Heart failure is a common condition that means the heart is not properly pumping blood around the body, which most often develops after a heart attack.

The condition leaves patients out of breath and unable to walk far – and more than a third die within a year.

Surprisingly, even those who were judged to have a ‘normal’ body weight in adolescence were more likely to be at risk of heart problems than those who were thinner

More than 410,000 people were diagnosed with the condition last year in England – and many more are thought to have the problem but not know it.

Prof Rosengren said: ‘Our findings show the importance of body weight in adolescence and suggest that more emphasis should be placed on the maintenance of a healthy body weight from an early age as a preventive measure.’

The researchers said they could not be sure whether their findings apply to women – who have a lower risk of heart failure anyway.

Emily Reeve of the British Heart Foundation said: ‘This study confirms an established relationship between obesity and the development of heart disease and heart failure, however more research across different population groups is needed.

‘Heart failure is a growing concern in the UK as a recent BHF analysis showed the number of heart failure hospital visits has increased by more than a third in the last ten years.

‘Over the past 50 years our research has helped to drastically improve survival rates from heart attack however now seven in ten people survive, many of whom are left with the devastating consequences of heart failure.

‘We urgently need to fund more research into this cruel condition to find new and better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat heart failure.’