New research suggests that childhood inactivity may be linked to heart enlargement, a condition that can increase the risk of heart attacks, stroke, and premature death in adults. The study, conducted by Andrew Agbaje, an associate professor of clinical epidemiology and child health at the University of Eastern Finland, found that spending excessive time sitting or being inactive during childhood can lead to an increase in heart mass.
However, the study also revealed that light physical activity, such as running errands and playing outdoor games for about three to four hours a day, can reverse the effects of heart enlargement and improve cardiac function. The researchers followed nearly 1,700 children from the UK’s University of Bristol’s ‘Children of the 90s cohort’ for 13 years, tracking their activity levels and measuring their heart structure and function.
The findings showed that sedentary behavior increased from about six hours a day during childhood to nine hours a day in young adulthood. This increase in sedentary time contributed significantly to the total increase in heart mass over the seven-year study period. Regardless of obesity or elevated blood pressure status, being sedentary or inactive was found to increase heart mass.
On the other hand, engaging in light physical activity was shown to reduce the increase in heart mass by about half. Examples of light physical activity include outdoor games, playground activities, walking a dog, running errands, biking, and playing sports like basketball or soccer.
Agbaje emphasized the importance of encouraging children and adolescents to participate in light physical activity daily for better cardiovascular health. He stressed that childhood sedentariness should be taken seriously, as the evidence is pointing towards potential health risks associated with inactivity. Light physical activity is a simple and effective way to counteract sedentary behavior and improve heart health.
