Childhood Adiposity Predicts Adult Hypertrophy

Overweight during childhood is a predictor of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in adulthood, according to an analysis of data from the Bogalusa Heart Study performed by a group of investigators at Tulane University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans.

LVH is known as a cardiovascular risk factor, but little was known about characteristics that might be noted earlier in life. Between 1973 and 1996, seven in-depth surveys of children between 4 and 17 years of age were conducted in the community of Bogalusa, La. LVM was determined by echocardiography on a sample of 467 young adults aged 20 to 38 years who participated in the study.

Researchers considered a number of factors, including race, sex, blood pressure, and blood cholesterol and lipid levels. Analysis of data revealed that body mass index (BMI) was a consistent predictor of LVH. Blood pressure also showed an effect, with LVH rising with increased systolic pressure, but to a less pronounced degree than BMI. It's possible, the authors conclude, that BMI and systolic hypertension may act in concert to result in LVH.