Adult Diseases Found More in Children

Adult diseases such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea are now recognizable in children, says a U.S. study.

A special issue of the Journal of the CardioMetabolic Syndrome reports data on the effect of age and sex on cardiovascular risk in overweight children aged 11 years and older.

Results showed that high blood pressure and dyslipidemia in overweight children is high, with overweight males 11 years and older having a higher prevalence of these risk factors than females and younger males. This may explain the earlier appearance of cardiovascular disease in overweight adult males.

About one-third of U.S. children today, about 25 million, are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight.

The childhood phase of chronic adult diseases is a dimension of health that has received little attention, states guest editor of the special issue Dr. Bonita Falkner of Thomas Jefferson University.

This themed issue further presents review articles discussing management of obesity-related disorders including non-pharmacologic treatments, lifestyle changes as well as guidance for clinicians on pharmacologic treatment of the most difficult childhood obesity conditions.