A comprehensive analysis of over 50 years of health data has revealed a significant correlation between being overweight or obese at a young age and the risk of experiencing an ischemic (clot-caused) stroke before the age of 55 in women. This research, published in Stroke, the journal of the American Stroke Association, highlights the long-term health impacts of early life weight issues.
The study, conducted in Finland, examined the influence of body weight at ages 14 and 31 on stroke risk. It found female participants who were overweight by 14 had significantly increased chances of strokes later in life – even if they lost the weight by 31.
Similarly, women who were overweight at age 31 had a higher risk of stroke regardless of their weight at age 14. Notably, this increased risk was not observed in men who were overweight at ages 14 or 31. However, men with obesity at age 31 showed a higher risk of bleeding stroke compared to women with obesity at the same age, according to reports.
Long-term Health Effects of Early Weight Issues
Lead study author Ursula Mikkola, B.M., from the Research Unit of Population Health at the University of Oulu, emphasized the long-term health effects of being overweight, even if the excess weight is temporary. She advocates for healthcare professionals to address overweight and obesity in young people by promoting healthier eating patterns and physical activity, but to do so in a non-judgmental and non-stigmatizing manner.
Data from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966
The researchers utilized data from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966, which followed more than 10,000 individuals from birth into their 50s. This extensive dataset allowed for a thorough analysis of the impact of body mass index (BMI) at different ages on the risk of early stroke, as per reports.
The study found that approximately 1 in 20 participants experienced a clot-caused stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) during the follow-up period. Women with obesity at age 14 were 87 percent more likely to experience a clot-caused stroke, and those with obesity at age 31 were 167 percent more likely to have a stroke compared to their peers at appropriate weight. Women with obesity at age 31 also had nearly 3½ times the risk of bleeding stroke, while men with obesity at the same age had more than 5½ times the risk of bleeding stroke.
Implications for Preventive Health
The findings suggest that addressing weight issues early in life can have a significant impact on reducing stroke risk later on. Mikkola advises that adopting a healthy lifestyle, including balanced eating, regular physical activity, avoiding smoking, and managing other health parameters like blood pressure and cholesterol, can help mitigate the risk of stroke even if one was overweight during youth.
The study found that the increased risk of clot-caused stroke was specific to women, with researchers currently investigating the underlying reasons for this gender disparity. This research will help to better understand the complex interactions between gender, weight, and stroke risk.