Even a slight increase in weight is fraught with heart disease
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Even the weight gain of 1 kg per year is enough to increase the blood pressure in a person aged 18-20 years.
This conclusion was drawn by scientists from the University of Illinois. They also stressed that, in particular, this effect is reflected in young women.
"Our findings indicate that even a slight increase in body weight provokes an increase in systolic pressure by 3-5 mm Hg. If young people recruit 1 kg of weight per year and think that the process will pass without a trace, then this is a delusion that is fraught with a risk of developing heart disease, "says Margarita Teran-Garcia, professor at the University of Illinois on food and human nutrition.
Specialists conducted a survey of 795 students at the University of San Luis Potosi in Mexico, age from 18 to 20 years. All these young people were enrolled in the ranks of students from the second time. Experts assessed the changes in body weight and body index for the year, and also measured blood pressure and blood glucose levels by comparing the results with last year's.
The increase in blood pressure, both in women and men, was associated with weight changes. At 25% of subjects this indicator has made 5% and more. The experts revealed the most changes in women.
According to experts, good news is that feedback also exists: in women who have lost 5% of weight, blood pressure has decreased.
About 31% of Mexican adults suffer from hypertension, 13% at the age of twenty or more, and 60% at the age of 60 and older.
The result of adding extra pounds can be especially pronounced in Mexicans who are at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. These results are significantly higher than those of similar groups in the United States.
The author of the study added that if you convince young people that small changes in weight at a young age can lead to serious health problems in the future, then there is a hope to prevent the development of chronic diseases caused by obesity. Unfortunately, there are not so many programs that can convey such important information of the youth.
"In our plans to find out how high the blood pressure is due to the genetic predisposition, and how much the way of life," added the professor.
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