Even apparently healthy children may be stoking up future problems for their hearts if they are physically inactive, researchers claimed last night.
Scandinavian researchers said they had identified problems with the heart and with breathing in children who were inactive.
The findings are controversial as they seek to predict children’s future risk from measurements taken at the age of nine.
Some 223 children in Sweden and Denmark took part in the four day research project, reported in the journal Acta Paediatrica.
The researchers said this showed a strong link between a child’s level of vigorous activity and measures of heart health, such as heart rate and oxygen intake.
Researcher Dr Tina Tanha, of Skane University Hospital, Malmo, Sweden, said: “Our results show a significant association between low levels of activity and high composite risk factors for cardiovascular disease, even in young children.
"Much of the association was driven by body fat measurements and oxygen intake.
“This is important because the accumulation of these risk factors, if started in early childhood and sustained over a long period, is believed to have greater impact on CVD and mortality than one single risk factor.”
Natasha Stewart, a specialist nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said it was "difficult" to use the findings to predict future disease.
She said: “However, the benefits of being physically active at any age are well established with studies showing it can prevent children from developing diseases later on in life, as well as improving their concentration at school, their overall mental health and wellbeing.
“This study reinforces the need to incorporate the recommended target of 60 minutes’ physical activity into children’s daily lives.”
Lack of physical activity in young children is related to a higher composite risk factor score for cardiovascular disease. Tanha et al. Acta Paediatrica. May 2011 100, pp717-721. DOI: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2011.02226.x
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