Weight extremes have a negative impact.
A recent study emphasizes the importance of helping children achieve and maintain a healthy weight, revealing that both underweight and overweight kids are at risk for reduced lung function. Fortunately, the research indicates that if children’s weights are normalized before they transition into adulthood, the negative impacts on lung function can be mitigated.
Dr. Erik Melén, the principal investigator and a pediatric professor at Sweden’s Karolinska Institute, noted the significance of promoting optimal growth during early childhood and adolescence. The study highlights that approximately 10% of children experience reduced lung function development during their youth, which can hinder their ability to reach full lung capacity as adults, subsequently increasing their risk of serious health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease.
The research involved monitoring 3,200 children from birth until the age of 24, with their body mass index (BMI) assessed multiple times between the ages of four and 14. Lead investigator Gang Wang pointed out that this study is the largest of its kind, providing insights into lung function development throughout childhood and adolescence. The findings revealed that children began showing signs of being underweight, normal weight, or overweight as early as age two.
Lung function assessments were conducted at ages 8, 16, and 24 to evaluate airway development. The results indicated that children with either a high or increasing BMI suffered from impaired lung function in adulthood, primarily due to restricted airflow. Notably, those with a high BMI who achieved a normal BMI before puberty did not exhibit impaired lung function later in life.
Additionally, the study found elevated levels of metabolites from the essential amino acid histidine in urine samples of children with high BMI, a pattern also seen in individuals with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. While the exact molecular connections between high BMI, histidine, and impaired lung function are still being explored, the research underscores the need to address not only obesity but also underweight conditions in children. Wang emphasized the importance of nutritional interventions for children with low BMI, expanding the focus beyond just overweight concerns.
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