HHS HealthBeat (June 2, 2010)

Kids with stiffer arteries

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Adults might have hardening of the arteries, but would you expect it in kids?

At the Medical College of Georgia, Catherine Davis saw it in 8- to 11-year-olds. She looked at body fat and fitness levels, and studied their arteries:

"The children who were fatter had stiffer central arteries. And the children who were in poorer physical condition in terms of not being able to do as well on the treadmill test also had stiffer arteries. So it seems to be related to both."  (12 seconds)

Davis says the conditions don’t mean that kids such as these have heart disease – but says they could be at higher risk of it as adults, unless they get more active.

The study, presented at a meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: November 21, 2011