JAMA: Children's heart health may begin to deteriorate at age ten

Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health have found that cardiovascular health indicators begin to decline around the age of ten. The results of the study are published in the journal JAMA Cardiology.

According to the American Heart Association, there are eight major factors in cardiovascular health. These include four behavioral aspects (diet, smoking, physical activity, sleep duration) and four specific health indicators (body mass index, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels).

Yet despite clear recommendations for healthy lifestyles, only 2% of children in the U.S. between the ages of two and 19 have optimal cardiovascular health.

To find out why this is the case, researchers analyzed data from more than 1,500 underage volunteers. The researchers paid special attention to the diet, physical activity, body mass index, blood pressure and sleep duration of the subjects in different age groups - from early childhood to late adolescence.

It turned out that cardiovascular health indicators could begin to deteriorate as early as age ten. And the risks were related to behavior rather than physiological factors.

The study authors suggested that children's heart health may be jeopardized by age-related and social changes that occur during this period. For example, adjustments in school schedules can interfere with sleep and proper nutrition. Focusing on healthy habits, especially during the transition period between middle childhood and early adolescence, can play a key role in preventing cardiovascular disease, scientists say.