Effect of obesity on cardiac function in children and adolescents: a review

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Obesity Medicine
• Cardiovascular Physiology

Background:

• Obesity is linked to increased cardiac workload and potential heart dysfunction in adults.
• Cardiomyopathy of obesity can develop with severe and prolonged excessive body fat.
• Understanding cardiac adaptations in pediatric obesity is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review cardiac findings in obese children and adolescents.
• To identify early subclinical signs of ventricular dysfunction in this population.
• To assess cardiovascular functional reserve in pediatric obesity.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on cardiac structure and function in obese pediatric populations.
• Analysis of studies reporting echocardiographic and functional assessments.
• Synthesis of data on anatomical changes and ventricular performance.

Main Results:

• Obese children and adolescents exhibit increased cardiac mass and ventricular dimensions.
• Early subclinical findings of ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction are observed.
• Cardiovascular fitness appears preserved, even in cases of morbid obesity.

Conclusions:

• Excessive body fat significantly increases cardiac work output in pediatric populations.
• Longstanding increased cardiac workload can lead to functional abnormalities.
• Early detection of cardiac changes in severe pediatric obesity is possible and important.