Study claims that sedentjsonary lifestyle is detrimental to young hearts

A recent Finnish study has shed light on the detrimental effects of high levels of sedentary behavior and physical inactivity on the heart health of adolescents. The study, conducted by the Faculty of Sport Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä and the Institute of Biomedicine at the University of Eastern Finland, followed the sedentary behavior and physical activity levels of 153 adolescents from childhood to adolescence over an eight-year period.

The findings of the study revealed that adolescents who accumulated high levels of sedentary behavior and low levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity from childhood onwards had a higher cardiac workload in adolescence. This increased cardiac workload is a predictor of heart failure and other heart diseases. The study also found that adolescents who engaged in low levels of vigorous physical activity had particularly high levels of cardiac workload.

Furthermore, the study highlighted the association between high levels of sedentary behavior and low levels of physical activity with a higher total body fat percentage. Body fat percentage was found to partly explain the relationship between sedentary behavior, physical activity, and cardiac workload. Interestingly, light physical activity was not associated with an increased cardiac workload.

Dr. Eero Haapala from the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä expressed concern over the high levels of sedentary behavior among youth, with many spending up to ten hours a day being sedentary. He emphasized the importance of incorporating high levels of daily moderate to vigorous physical activity into the lives of children and adolescents to improve heart health and overall well-being.

The study, which is part of the ongoing Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children (PANIC) study at the Institute of Biomedicine at the University of Eastern Finland, underscores the significance of increasing physical activity, especially moderate and vigorous activity, reducing sedentary behavior, and preventing overweight from childhood to prevent heart diseases.

The researchers involved in the study published their findings in the Journal of the American Heart Association, highlighting the importance of addressing sedentary behavior and promoting physical activity from childhood to adolescence to protect heart health. The study serves as a reminder of the critical role that physical activity plays in maintaining a healthy heart and overall well-being.

In conclusion, the study’s results serve as a wake-up call for parents, educators, and policymakers to prioritize physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior among children and adolescents. By instilling healthy habits early on, we can help prevent heart diseases and promote a lifetime of good health.