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Changes in cardiovascular risk factors over a 24-year follow-up period: a Japanese pediatric cohort study

Masahiko Kuwabara1, Masaharu Yoshihara, Hiroko Hirata

  • 1Asa Cohort Study Committee of Hiroshima Prefectural Asa Medical Association, Hiroshima, Japan. mkuwabar@urban.ne.jp

Hiroshima Journal of Medical Sciences
|January 25, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Early intervention for pediatric cardiovascular risk factors is crucial. This study found that body mass index and cholesterol levels in adulthood were significantly higher than in childhood, suggesting early lifestyle changes are vital.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
  • Longitudinal Studies

Background:

  • The optimal age for initiating interventions to prevent cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in children remains unclear.
  • Pediatric cohorts provide valuable insights into long-term health trajectories and the early origins of adult diseases.
  • Understanding changes in metabolic markers from childhood to adulthood is essential for public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine longitudinal changes in body mass index (BMI), fasting blood sugar (FBS), total cholesterol (TC), and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) over 24 years in a pediatric cohort.
  • To identify correlations between childhood/adolescent measurements and adult levels of these cardiovascular risk factors.
  • To inform the timing of interventions for preventing CVDs in the pediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 655 children aged 10-12 years was followed for 24 years.
  • Follow-up measurements of height, weight, FBS, TC, and HDL-C were taken at ages 13-15, 16-18, and 35-45.
  • Statistical analyses, including correlation and significance testing (p-values), were used to assess changes and relationships.

Main Results:

  • Adult BMI (ages 35-45) was significantly higher than in childhood and adolescence (p < 0.001).
  • Adult TC levels (ages 35-45) were significantly elevated compared to all previous measurement points (p < 0.0001).
  • Adult BMI showed significant correlations with adolescent BMI (ages 13-18), and adult TC/HDL-C correlated significantly with childhood/adolescent levels (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

  • Significant increases in BMI and TC from childhood to adulthood highlight the long-term impact of early metabolic health.
  • The correlations found suggest that childhood and adolescent measurements are predictive of adult cardiovascular risk factor levels.
  • Interventions targeting cardiovascular risk factors in Japanese children should commence in early childhood to mitigate long-term risks.

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