Abstract 171

Background: The process of atherosclerosis leading to coronary heart disease may begin in childhood in response to lifestyle factors. Aim: To assess the impact of dietary fat and physical activity on early atherogenesis, as estimated from measurements of arterial compliance. Subjects: Cross-sectional study of 105 children (mean (SD) age 10.0 (0.1) y; 54 girls). Measurements: Arterial compliance was determined by a non-invasive optical method measuring pulse wave velocity (PWV) from the heart to the wrist and from the heart to the groin. High PWV indicates a stiffer arterial wall. Dietary intake was measured with a 7 day food record and physical activity with a 24 h recall questionnaire. Blood pressure (BP) was measured with automated methods. Results: Mean dietary fat energy percentage (FE%) was 35.6 (3.7)% and mean duration of high physical activity was 3.6 (2.0) h/day. Mean systolic BP (SD) was 108 (7) mm Hg and diastolic 61 (5) mm Hg. Systolic BP was strongly positively associated to PWV in both arteries (both p<0.001). In a multiple regression analysis controlling for BP, dietary FE% and PWV were positively associated (p=0.03 (wrist) and 0.002 (groin)), whereas physical activity and PWV were inversely associated (p=0.004 (wrist) and 0.07 (groin)). Conclusion: These observations suggest that high-fat diets and low physical activity cause increased arterial stiffness, which may reflect endothelial dysfunction of the arteries, an early event in atherogenesis.