Childhood Sedentary Time Linked to Heart Enlargement: Study

London, 9 May (ONA) --- A recent European Journal of Preventive Cardiology study investigated whether sedentary time (ST), light-intensity physical activity (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) during childhood and young adulthood influence cardiac structure and function.

Since clinical events in the pediatric population are rare, identification of changes in cardiac structure and function in this population is crucial for early clinical diagnosis linked to cardiac damage. Higher left ventricular mass (LVM) is a significant marker of cardiovascular mortality among adults.

The recent study has indicated that elevated blood lipids content, high blood pressure, and increased arterial stiffness in adolescence are prominent indicators of premature cardiac damage in young adulthood.

Recent longitudinal studies emphasize the importance of physical activity (PA) for children's heart health, with guidelines recommending 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) daily, which many fail to meet.

A cross-sectional study found sedentary time (ST) associated with higher cardiac mass, while light PA (LPA) improved cardiac function in adolescents. Notably, LPA was more effective than MVPA in reducing cholesterol and fat mass.

These findings highlight the importance of addressing sedentary behavior for cardiac health in youth.

---Ends/Thuraiya/AG