The Impact of Childhood and Adolescent Obesity on Cardiovascular Risk in Adulthood: a Systematic Review

Abstract

Purpose of review: Adult obesity and cardiovascular diseases are closely linked. Yet, the relationship of childhood and adolescent obesities with cardiovascular diseases in adulthood requires additional evidence. The goal of the review is to inspect the relationship between childhood- and adolescent-increased body mass index (BMI) and cardiovascular risk factors, fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular diseases in adulthood.

Recent findings: Cardiovascular diseases in adulthood are linked by most of the studies to childhood and adolescent obesities. Studies showed that childhood and adolescent obesities increased the incidence of cardiovascular disease risk factors and were linked to higher risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in adulthood. Childhood and adolescent obesities were also associated, likely with a causal relationship, with an increased likelihood for various cardiovascular morbidities including ischemic heart disease, stroke, but also non-ischemic heart disease-related cardiac pathologies.

Keywords: Adolescent; Body mass index; Cardiovascular disease; Childhood; Obesity.