A new study from the University of Bristol suggests that a diet high in calories, fat and sugar during childhood can take a toll on blood vessel function, increasing the risk of early heart attack and stroke as early as adolescence.
The research team published their findings in the British Journal of Nutrition and said their findings underscore the importance of healthy eating habits to protect heart health. The article is titled "Correlation between Children's Dietary Quality Scores and Adolescence and Carotid Intimal Media Thickness in Early Adulthood: Results of the ALSPAC Cohort."
Arteries carry oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Arteries naturally harden as we age, but conditions such as smoking or diabetes can exacerbate the condition. Arteriosclerosis can cause blood pressure to rise, increase the workload of the heart, and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Researchers from the University of Bristol investigated the link between children's diets and arteriosclerosis in adolescence. They found that eating a diet high in calories, fat, sugar, and fiber at age 7 and 10 was associated with arteriosclerosis at age 17.
In addition, Mediterranean and anti-inflammatory dietary patterns appear to have a protective effect on heart health, with children whose diets most closely resemble these patterns have less stiff and more resilient arteries at age 17.
Dr Buckland, a BHF researcher at the University of Bristol's Bristol School of Medicine, who led the study, said: "Our study highlights the importance of developing a balanced diet from an early age to reduce the risk of future heart problems. Arteriosclerosis is an important sign of damage to blood vessels and can have long-term effects. Through its association with high blood pressure, it has been linked to a variety of serious diseases including heart failure, stroke, and vascular dementia. We hope that our work highlights the need for prevention strategies to stop people from developing arteriosclerosis from an early age. ”
Researchers collected dietary information from more than 4,700 children who participated in the '90s Child Health Study. When they reached the age of 7, 10 and 13, the diet was studied. Arterial stiffness and arterial wall thickness were then measured in thousands of children aged 17 and 24.
Diets were assessed using five different quality scores. These scores reflect how well your child's diet aligns with five eating patterns, each of which helps protect heart health or increases the risk of heart problems.
Children who ate a high-calorie, high-fat, high-sugar, low-fiber diet at age 7 and 10 had arteriosclerosis at age 17 compared to children who consumed low-calorie, low-fat, and high-sugar foods as children. In previous studies of these children, this high-calorie dietary pattern was associated with overweight in children and adolescents.
Some of the other dietary patterns surveyed have also been linked to vascular health. Seven-year-olds with a more Mediterranean-style diet that includes fruits and vegetables, legumes and lentils, fish and unsaturated fats, and less meat and meat products reduced arteriosclerosis by the age of 17.
Similarly, eating a diet with more anti-inflammatory nutrients at age 10 was associated with a reduction in arteriosclerosis at age 17. Foods thought to have anti-inflammatory effects include fruits and vegetables, especially berries and a variety of brightly colored vegetables, as well as nuts, seeds, spices, and seafood.
Overall, according to the study's scoring system, children with healthier diets were more likely to be female, have lower BMIs, have more educated mothers, and have higher socioeconomic backgrounds.
"Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of disability and premature death in the UK, hitting those living in the least affluent areas the hardest," said BHF Deputy Medical Director Dr Sonya. The results of this study suggest that to stop the development of heart disease, improving people's diets must start early and be maintained throughout life. A bold and holistic approach is needed to ensure that healthy choices are easy choices for everyone. This includes pushing forward delayed laws, curbing junk food marketing, and pushing the industry to lower the salt and sugar levels in our everyday foods. Only in this way can we give children the opportunity to live long and healthy lives, no matter where they live.