Kids with a higher BMI may be at greater risk of heart disease, diabetes in later life – TimesLIVE

The findings, published byThe BMJtoday, showed that a larger BMI at age ten is associated with a higher risk of coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes, although the increased risk was found to be most likely in the participants who also had a higher BMI in adulthood.

The researchers also found evidence to suggest that for the female participants, a higher BMI in childhood may have a protective effect against breast cancer in later life, although as the timing of puberty may influence this risk, further research is needed, they add.

No strong evidence was found to connect BMI with the risk of prostate cancer.

The researchers note that their study does have some limitations, however, thanks to the study's strengths, such as a large sample size, the authors still conclude that the findings suggest a link between BMI in childhood and risk of coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes in adulthood, particularly when individuals also have a high BMI in later life.

In alinked editorial, Professor Mary Schooling adds that the effect of being overweight on these diseases "can be obviated by achieving and maintaining a normal body mass index (BMI) in adulthood," adding that "puberty might be a key time to reduce adiposity."

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Kids with a higher BMI may be at greater risk of heart disease, diabetes in later life - TimesLIVE