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A recent study found that inactive children may be at a greater risk for heart attack or stroke in the future, but this can be mitigated by engaging in light physical activity.
Experts warn that an increase in sedentary behavior during childhood could result in a two-thirds increase in cholesterol levels as an adult, which may lead to heart issues and potential early mortality.
However, the recent research suggests that engaging in light physical activity, such as walking and doing household tasks, may fully counteract the potential dangers.
Elevated levels of cholesterol in childhood have been linked to the development of heart disease in adulthood and a higher chance of premature death from cardiovascular complications during middle age.
The results highlight the significant role of light physical activity in maintaining good health and suggest it may be crucial in preventing high cholesterol and dyslipidemia from a young age.
The results also indicate that this type of activity may be more successful than moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
The study suggests that global guidelines for children’s physical activity should incorporate their results.
According to Dr. Andrew Agbaje of the University of Exeter, the study revealed the significant health benefits of engaging in light physical activity. It suggests that this type of activity could play a crucial role in preventing high levels of cholesterol and dyslipidemia from developing early in life.
Recent evidence suggests that light physical activity may be more beneficial than moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in promoting health. Therefore, it may be necessary for the World Health Organization (WHO) to revise their guidelines on childhood exercise and for health experts, pediatricians, and policymakers to promote increased participation in light physical activity during childhood.
According to our research, light physical activity may play a more important role than previously thought. Instead of focusing on the recommended 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise per day, we suggest aiming for at least 3 hours of light physical activity.
Engaging in low-intensity physical activity seems to counteract the harmful impact of extended periods of sitting among young individuals.
The World Health Organization currently suggests that children and teenagers aim for at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity every day and limit their sedentary behavior.
There are restricted rules for mild physical exertion.
Sedentary behavior during childhood could potentially increase the chances of developing high cholesterol and experiencing a heart attack or stroke at a younger age, typically in one’s mid-forties.
The recent research, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, discovered that engaging in light physical activities such as slow dancing, swimming, or cycling can be up to five times more beneficial for the hearts and reducing inflammation in young individuals compared to moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
In the research, which focused on 792 children, the scientists utilized a tool resembling a pedometer to gauge periods of inactivity, gentle physical movement, and moderate-to-vigorous physical movement at the ages of 11, 15, and 24.
Cholesterol levels were assessed multiple times during the ages of 15, 17, and 24. The children also underwent repeated evaluations of their total body fat mass and muscle mass, as well as various blood tests, taking into account factors such as smoking habits, socio-economic status, and family history of cardiovascular disease.
During the 13-year follow-up, there was a significant increase in sedentary time, from an average of six hours per day to nine hours per day.
The amount of time spent in light physical activity decreased from six hours a day to three hours a day, while moderate-to-vigorous physical activity remained consistent at approximately 50 minutes a day from childhood through young adulthood.
The average rise in overall cholesterol was 0.69 mmol/l.
The research discovered that engaging in approximately four and a half hours of light physical activity per day during childhood and young adulthood resulted in a decrease in total cholesterol levels.
Engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for approximately 50 minutes per day during childhood was linked to a slight decrease in total cholesterol levels (-0.05 mmol/L). However, when considering total body fat mass, the impact of this physical activity on total cholesterol was reduced by up to 48%.
The researchers emphasized that the rise in fat mass countered the minimal impact of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on overall cholesterol levels.
According to Dr. Agbaje, our research indicates that a higher amount of time spent being sedentary during childhood may account for two thirds of the overall rise in an individual’s cholesterol levels by their mid-twenties.
This implies that being sedentary during childhood could greatly increase the risk of high cholesterol and potentially lead to early heart attack or stroke by the time a person is in their mid-forties.
The research was a joint effort between the University of Exeter, University of Eastern Finland, and University of Bristol. It utilized information from the University of Bristol’s Children of the 90s study, also referred to as the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children.
The Independent is a British online newspaper
The British online newspaper, The Independent, can be found on independent.co.uk.
