Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 16, 2025
Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report
Published on: May 30, 2025
Childhood Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Working Toward Solutions
Patrick G McPhee1, Selena Singh1, Katherine M Morrison1
1Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Centre for Metabolism, Obesity, and Diabetes Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Insights
Childhood obesity is a growing global concern, increasing risks for early cardiovascular disease. While family-based programs and exercise show short-term benefits, long-term strategies for sustained health are still uncertain.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Cardiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood obesity prevalence is high and increasing globally, affecting an estimated 381 million children.
- Childhood obesity is linked to cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension, dysglycemia, and dyslipidemia, potentially leading to early atherosclerosis and premature cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- These risk factors contribute to vascular changes in childhood, increasing the risk of adult cardiovascular events if untreated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the effectiveness of interventions for childhood obesity.
- To understand the impact of these interventions on cardiovascular risk factors.
- To identify research needs for long-term management and prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adulthood.
Main Methods:
- Review of multicomponent family-based behavior modification programs for childhood obesity.
- Analysis of supervised, structured exercise interventions in children with obesity.
- Assessment of short-term effects on weight-related outcomes and cardiovascular risk factors.
Main Results:
- Family-based programs show moderate short-term effects on weight, but their impact on cardiovascular risk factors is less understood.
- Structured exercise interventions improve blood pressure, inflammation, carotid artery intima media thickness, dysglycemia, dyslipidemia, and endothelial dysfunction in the short term.
- Long-term sustainability of exercise interventions and their translation into lasting physical activity recommendations remain uncertain.
Conclusions:
- Childhood obesity poses significant risks for premature cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- Current interventions offer short-term benefits, but long-term strategies for sustained health and CVD prevention require further research.
- Focusing on sustainable exercise and physical activity interventions is crucial for managing childhood obesity and mitigating associated cardiovascular risks in adulthood.
Abstract:
The prevalence of obesity in childhood is high and continues to increase globally. It is currently estimated that 381 million children worldwide have overweight or obesity. This disease stems from multiple complex pathways that can present early in life. This is particularly concerning because childhood obesity is associated with cardiovascular risk factors that can lead to early atherosclerosis and premature cardiovascular disease (CVD). Hypertension, dysglycemia, dyslipidemia, and systemic inflammation are associated with vascular changes in childhood, and these contribute to increased risk of cardiovascular events in adulthood if not adequately treated. Interventions to treat childhood obesity include multicomponent family-based behaviour modification programs, which have been demonstrated to have moderate short-term effects on weight-related outcomes; their effects on cardiovascular risk factors, however, are less well understood. Although supervised, structured exercise interventions result in improvements in blood pressure, inflammation, carotid artery intima media thickness, dysglycemia, dyslipidemia, and endothelial dysfunction in children with obesity in the short term, our understanding of how to translate these interventions into long-term sustainable exercise or physical activity recommendations remains uncertain. Research focus in these areas will help in treating childhood obesity and associated CVD risk factors to prevent CVD development in adulthood.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Obesity
01:30Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management
01:26Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
01:20Lifestyle Factors and Health
Benefits of Physical Activity
Physical activity, whether through structured exercise or casual activities like walking, biking, or dancing, is a cornerstone of a...