Serial Childhood BMI and Associations With Adult Hypertension and Obesity: The Fels Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Previous studies estimated critical periods of childhood body mass index (BMI) growth and linked these events to adult adiposity and cardiovascular health. We expand upon both results to link childhood BMI growth patterns with adult blood pressure. Data from male and female participants in the Fels Longitudinal Study were used to estimate childhood BMI growth curves, from which we isolate ages of childhood BMI divergence based upon adult BMI and blood pressure measurements. Repeated measure analysis of variances models were used to estimate BMI growth curves from ages 2 to 17.5 based on both adult BMI (< 25 kg/m2 or ≥ 25 kg/m2) and adult blood pressure (< 120 mmHg or ≥ 120 mmHg for systolic blood pressure; < 80 mmHg or ≥ 80 mm Hg for diastolic blood pressure). Participants with lower bodyweight throughout childhood had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures in early adulthood. Any relationships between childhood adiposity and adult bodyweight and blood pressure disappeared by age 60. These results were independent of adult BMI and were observed in both men and women. Increased adult blood pressure has its genesis in part from increased childhood BMI.

Associations between Childhood Body Size, Composition, Blood Pressure and Adult Cardiac Structure: The Fels Longitudinal Study

“…Similar results were seen in Sabo et al . (2012), who estimated age of divergences in childhood body size based on adult blood pressure [21]. While this phenomenon may seem to suggest that adult obesity or adiposity are more important in the relationship with cardiac structure than are childhood growth trends, it must be remembered that both childhood obesity and adiposity track into adulthood [42].…”

“…While some studies have linked childhood body size measurements with certain cardiovascular outcomes (such as mortality and hypertension), [20], [21] fewer studies have focused on associations between childhood body size and adulthood cardiac structure. Notably, as part of the Bogalusa Heart Study (BHS), Toprak et al .…”

Pulsatile and Steady-State Pressure Trends in Children: A Window into the Future

“…In another study [21], researchers investigated the association between childhood BP and left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, a precursor to congestive heart failure. Just as middle-aged BP predicts later LV mass and early adult BP predicts middle-aged LV mass, recent studies have demonstrated that elevated childhood BP and BMI independently determine early-adult LV mass [21,22]. Moreover, a recent observational study [20] has demonstrated that children who improved their BP upon entering adulthood had healthier CIMT compared to those with persistently elevated BP.…”

Modificações da adiposidade em escolares de acordo com o estado nutricional: análise de 30 anos

“…Excess weight in childhood increases chances of obesity in adulthood 5 . Sabo et al 11 analyzed data on body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) from individuals during childhood and adulthood. This study identified a higher BP in adults who were obese during their childhood than in those who were eutrophic during that period 11 .…”

“…Sabo et al 11 analyzed data on body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) from individuals during childhood and adulthood. This study identified a higher BP in adults who were obese during their childhood than in those who were eutrophic during that period 11 . Results of some national and international studies have been showing changes in adiposity levels over the years [6][7][8] .…”