IANS
Chandigarh, August 20
In a first-of-its-kind study, nine out of 10 children in Punjab and Delhi were found not to have a heart-healthy lifestyle.
The study conducted by cardiologist Rajneesh Kapoor examined 3,200 children in the age group 5 to 18 years through a questionnaire-based assessment of parameters affecting cardiovascular health.
Kapoor told the media here that each participant was given a cardiovascular health score based on their responses to body mass index, physical activity, bedtime, sleep, dietary habits and exposure to nicotine.
The maximum attainable score was set at 100 and subjects were profiled for advice on lifestyle modifications based on their scores for it, he reported.
“A score of less than 40 was classified as concerning, children in this needed intense lifestyle modifications started as soon as possible. A score between 70 and 100 was healthy, while children with a score between 40 and 70 needed modest lifestyle changes,” he said.
Twenty-four percent of the study population had a cardiovascular health score of less than 40, 68 percent were in the 40 to 70 score category, and only 8 percent of the lifestyle met all criteria necessary for a healthy cardiovascular system, he said.
Kapoor urged parents to step in and facilitate lifestyle modifications for their children that can potentially stave off cardiovascular disease risk in adulthood.
Children’s lifestyle plays a definable role in their risk of developing cardiovascular disease in adulthood, he said.
He said little or no physical activity, followed by poor dietary habits, were found to be the main factors negatively affecting cardiovascular health score in the study population.
“Obesity was found to be prevalent in 38 percent of the total study population, inadequate sleep was found in three percent, but inadequate routine bedtimes were seen in 75 percent of the children. The body has an internal 24-hour clock, called the circadian rhythm, which helps regulate physical and mental function.
“Early or late bedtime is more likely to disrupt the biological clock with adverse consequences for cardiovascular health,” he said.
“Most people don’t think about risk factors during childhood, but I think it’s really essential that we all start doing it. Because it’s probably much easier to prevent the development of cardiac risk factors than it is to try to get rid of them once they’ve developed. So the question is what can be done,” she said.
“It starts with healthy eating, a good one is a diet where half the food is vegetables and fruits, a quarter is lean protein, and a quarter is whole grains, with a side of dairy.
“Another very important step is to keep children moving. Whether it’s through a formal class or just playing in a park, physical activity should fit into the family’s schedule. But the activity must be age-appropriate and align with the child’s interests,” Kapoor added.
In the meantime, the study is scheduled for presentation at the Interventional Cardiology Innovations Summit 2022, a two-day annual meeting, which begins August 27.
Source: www.tribuneindia.com