Original Article

International Journal of Obesity (2008) 32, 749–756; doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803798; published online 29 January 2008

The contribution of childhood obesity to adult carotid intima-media thickness: the Bogalusa Heart Study

D S Freedman1, D A Patel2, S R Srinivasan2, W Chen2, R Tang3, M G Bond3 and G S Berenson2

  1. 1Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
  2. 2Tulane Center for Cardiovascular Health, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
  3. 3Division of Vascular Ultrasound Research, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

Correspondence: Professor DS Freedman, Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Rm 5055 Rhodes Building, 3005 Chamblee-Tucker Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4133, USA. E-mail: DFreedman@CDC.gov

Received 22 March 2007; Revised 16 September 2007; Accepted 9 December 2007; Published online 29 January 2008.

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Abstract

Objective:

 

Although obese children are at increased risk for coronary heart disease in later life, it is not clear if the association results from the persistence of childhood obesity into adulthood. We examined the relation of both childhood and adult levels of body mass index (BMI, kg m- 2) to carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) measured at the (mean) age of 36 years.

Design and Subjects:

 

Prior to the determination of adult IMT, the 1142 participants had been examined 7 (mean) times in the Bogalusa Heart Study.

Measurements:

 

In addition to BMI, levels of lipids, lipoproteins and blood pressure were measured at each examination. Cumulative levels of each risk factor were based on the areas under the individual growth curves calculated using multilevel models for repeated (BMI) measurements. We then examined the relation of these cumulative levels to adult IMT.

Results:

 

Carotid IMT was associated with cumulative levels of BMI in both childhood and adulthood (P<0.001 for each association). Furthermore, the association between childhood BMI and adult IMT persisted, but was reduced, after controlling for adult BMI. Although childhood levels of lipids, lipoproteins and blood pressure were also associated with adult IMT, these associations were not independent of adult levels of these risk factors.

Conclusions:

 

These results emphasize the adverse effects of elevated childhood BMI levels. In addition to the strong tracking of BMI levels from childhood to adulthood, there appears to be a modest, independent effect of childhood BMI on adult IMT. The prevention of childhood obesity should be emphasized.

Keywords:

atherosclerosis, carotid arteries, children, longitudinal, ultrasound, intima-media thickness

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