Childhood obesity, cardiovascular and liver health: a growing epidemic with age

Abstract

Background The frequency of childhood obesity has increased over the last 3 decades, and the trend constitutes a worrisome epidemic worldwide. With the raising obesity risk, key aspects to consider are accurate body mass index classification, as well as metabolic and cardiovascular, and hepatic consequences. Data sources The authors performed a systematic literature search in PubMed and EMBASE, using selected key words (obesity, childhood, cardiovascular, liver health). In particular, they focused their search on papers evaluating the impact of obesity on cardiovascular and liver health. Results We evaluated the current literature dealing with the impact of excessive body fat accumulation in childhood and across adulthood, as a predisposing factor to cardiovascular and hepatic alterations. We also evaluated the impact of physical and dietary behaviors starting from childhood on cardio-metabolic consequences. Conclusions The epidemic of obesity and obesity-related comorbidities worldwide raises concerns about the impact of early abnormalities during childhood and adolescence. Two key abnormalities in this context include cardiovascular diseases, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Appropriate metabolic screenings and associated comorbidities should start as early as possible in obese children and adolescents. Nevertheless, improving dietary intake and increasing physical activity performance are to date the best therapeutic tools in children to weaken the onset of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes risk during adulthood.

Liver Steatosis, Gut-Liver Axis, Microbiome and Environmental Factors. A Never-Ending Bidirectional Cross-Talk

“…In addition, patients with NAFLD suffer from poor quality of life as compared to healthy individuals. A marked worsening occurs with advanced liver diseases, such as liver cirrhosis [ 37 , 38 ]. No specific therapy exists for NAFLD, apart from healthy lifestyles [ 28 , 39 ].…”

Shedding “LIGHT” on the Link between Bone and Fat in Obese Children and Adolescents

“…However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which obesity and bone remodeling can mutually influence each other remains to be elucidated and deepened. Obese children, whose numbers increase in almost all countries, have a fivefold increased risk to remain obese during adulthood and to develop non-communicable diseases (NCDs) at a younger age, like cardiovascular diseases [ 6 , 7 ], different types of cancer, and metabolic and musculoskeletal disorders [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Obesity is characterized by low-grade chronic inflammation, with anomalous cytokine production and activation of inflammation signaling pathways, leading to the development of obesity-related disorders [ 13 ].…”

Lipid Inhibitory Effect of (−)-loliolide Isolated from Sargassum horneri in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes: Inhibitory Mechanism of Adipose-Specific Proteins

“…Childhood obesity is closely related to adult obesity, develops more easily into adult obesity, and is accompanied by an increased risk of obesity-related diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Indeed, childhood obesity and obesity-related comorbidities increase the incidence of cardiovascular disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in children and adolescents [ 7 ]. Therefore, several guidelines and programs have been reported for the treatment of childhood obesity [ 8 ].…”