They may not know it, but most obese adolescents already have heart damage, even if they have no symptoms of heart disease, according to new research.
The study, presented at the annual meeting of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology this week, involved examinations of nearly 100 adolescents – whose height, weight, blood, heart function and size (using echocardiograms) were assessed by researchers from the University of Pristina in Kosovo.
The adolescents were divided into three groups: lean, overweight and obese.
In analyzing the results, researchers said obese adolescents with no symptoms of heart disease had evidence of damaged hearts with thicker walls. The systolic and diastolic function of their hearts was also impaired.
Lead author Gani Bajraktari said the findings may explain why obesity is a risk for heart disease, adding that more studies are needed to show whether the heart damage in obese adolescents can be reversed if they lose weight.
"Education on healthy food and exercise is needed in schools to prevent obesity and early cardiovascular disease in adolescents," Bajraktari said. "This is an important step in preventing obesity and cardiovascular disease in adults."
Obesity is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and previous research has shown obese adults have structural and functional changes to their hearts.