Couch potato children more likely to suffer premature heart damage

Participating in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) showed signs of slightly increasing the heart size – by 5 per cent – which is largely physiological, according to the research team.

Previous studies involving the same participants have linked excessive time spent seated to increased inflammation, high insulin, obesity, dyslipidemia and arterial stiffness.

But light exercise has emerged as an “effective” way of reducing the harmful effects of too much time spent sitting down as a youngster.

However, no previous study has examined whether long-term light exercise from childhood holds the potential to reverse the increase in cardiac mass.

Echocardiography measurements

The participants in the latest study wore accelerometer devices on their waists at the ages of 11, 15 and 24 and had echocardiography measurements of the heart structure and function at ages 17 and 24.

Their fasting blood samples were also repeatedly measured for “good” and “bad” cholesterol as well as glucose, insulin and other health indicators.

Blood pressure, heart rate and family history of cardiovascular disease, as well as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-measured fat mass and lean mass, were also accounted for.

Prof Andrew Agbaje, of the University of Eastern Finland, said: “There is growing evidence that childhood sedentariness is a health threat that needs to be taken seriously.

“There must be a paradigm shift in how we view childhood sedentariness, as the mounting evidence is pointing at a ticking time bomb.”

Effective antidote to sedentariness

Prof Agbaje added: “LPA is an effective antidote to sedentariness.

“It is easy to accumulate three to four hours of LPA daily.

“Examples of LPA are outdoor games, playing in the playground, walking a dog, running errands for parents, walking and biking to the shopping mall or to school, taking a stroll in the park, playing in the forest, gardening, casual basketball, soccer, floorball, golf, frisbee, et cetera.

“We can encourage children and adolescents to participate in LPA daily for better cardiovascular health.”