Atherosclerosis: A nutritional disease of childhood

The development of coronary atherosclerosis begins in childhood. A clear re lation between diet and cardiovascular disease risk has been demonstrated. Findings from the Bogalusa Heart Study indicate that most children still ex ceed national recommendations for intake of total and saturated fat. In add ition, children's mean total energy intake is greater than energy expenditu re, contributing to the high prevalence of obesity beginning in childhood. Even in childhood, obesity often occurs with other risk;factors for cardiov ascular disease, such as increased blood pressure, adverse changes in serum lipoproteins, and hyperinsulinemia. This clustering of risk factors has be en linked to acceleration of atherosclerotic lesions in the coronary arteri es of young individuals, Decreasing the incidence of coronary artery diseas e in mid and late life necessitates healthy habits in nutrition and lifesty le in early life. Public health measures to favorably alter lifestyle can h ave a major impact on heart disease prevention and should be pursued vigoro usly. (C) 1998 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.