Adiposity in adulthood may negatively impact the heart later in life

Investigators have found that a higher body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio throughout adulthood may be linked to a greater risk of adverse cardiac structure and function later in life.

In the study, published in the European Heart Journal, the investigators identified 1,690 patients who participated in the Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development — in which the participants’ BMI was measured at ages 20, 26, 36, 43, 53 and 60 to 64 years. The waist-to-hip ratio was measured from age 43 and older. Following echocardiography between the ages of 60 and 64 years, patients with a higher BMI at age 26 years and older was linked to worse systolic function and poorer diastolic function. Although the association between BMI and systolic function was attenuated after adjusting for current BMI, the correlation to diastolic function remained. Similar findings were noted for the waist-to-hip ratio.

The findings may highlight the potential lasting effects of excess weight gain in earlier adulthood. The investigators emphasized the importance of preventing excess weight gain starting in early adulthood.

Read more: European Heart Journal

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