Obese Kids Have Middle-Aged Arteries

In a study presented at the American Heart Association's scientific meeting , and reported by MSNBC, , more than half of the 70 youngsters ages 10 to 18 enrolled in the Children’s Mercy Hospital study had a “vascular age” about 30 years older than their actual age, putting them at risk for early heart attacks, stroke — and death.

According the study the kids who are most at risk had a body mass index or BMI at or above the 95^th percentile, and had abnormally high cholesterol levels, including either too much of the so-called “bad” LDL cholesterol, or too little of the “good” HDL cholesterol.

Recommendations are for the children to change their diet and increasing exercise in order to slow and perhaps stop deterioration.