Obese children have blood vessels as inflexible as adults with cardiovascular disease, Canadian doctors are sounding the alarm. Already about a quarter of Canadian children between the ages of 2 and 17 are overweight or obese.
Over the past 30 years, Canada has seen a rapid – threefold – increase in the number of overweight children.
The results of a study by doctors at the British Columbia Children’s Hospital show that while blood pressure and cholesterol levels are normal in obese XNUMX-year-olds, the aorta loses its elasticity, as if obesity was accelerating the aging process, Canadian media reported.
Doctors also warned that aortic stiffness is one indicator of possible cardiovascular problems. In adults, the lack of flexibility of the aorta can lead to a heart attack.
From the current data on the health of children, it can be concluded that a reduction in life expectancy is to be expected for the first time in Canadian history.
Due to the problem of obesity among children, the new school year that started in September became an opportunity to discuss healthy eating. A study was then published which showed that Canadian children would be happy to say goodbye to junk food. As much as 82 percent. of the surveyed children would like to have cooking lessons at school, and almost 90 percent. takes into account the views of parents on healthy eating and expects their support in this regard.
In September, health ministers from all provinces decided to jointly fight the obesity epidemic in children by promoting healthy food and working to increase physical activity.
Last week, the press reported, the Canadian Congress for Blood Vessel Health proposed an additional tax on sodas and drinks containing sugar. Doctors realize that such a tax would not be effective in itself, as it is not known if it would reduce the consumption of sweet drinks. Nevertheless, it would have a beneficial effect on the health of Canadians, as the introduction of the new tax would be important news for consumers. In addition, provincial governments would receive additional funding to fight obesity, for example to subsidize the prices of vegetables and fruits.
From Toronto Anna Lach (PAP)