Incidence of childhood obesity, a worrisome worldwide epidemic has augmented over the last 3 decades. This rapidally increasing trend warrants the need to consider accurate body mass index classification, as well as metabolic and cardiovascular, and hepatic outcomes. The author of the current study reviewed literature in PubMed and EMBASE and highlighted data that assessed the effects of obesity on cardiovascular and liver health.

In addition, investigators also determined the current literature that studied the role of excessive body fat accumulation in childhood and across adulthood on cardiovascular and hepatic alterations. Besides, the influence of physical and dietary behaviors starting from childhood on cardio-metabolic consequences was also considered.

It was observed that in children, due to increasing obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of liver disease. Similarly, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in children may evolve to fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver failure, as evidence suggest that these changes can begin as early as 8 years. However, correlation between NAFLD and NASH, in children is not as strong as adults, suggesting a milder phenotype of NAFLD. Therefore, early identification of NAFLD along with comorbidities in children can act as a preventive measure against death because of cardiovascular disorders in adults. Various trials revealed that while diagnosing through elevated serum aminotransferases, imaging or liver biopsy, prevalence of NAFLD in children and adolescents and in obese children ranges between 6 and 38%, varying according to the context, the population studied, and the ethnicity.

Thus, epidemic of obesity and obesity-related comorbidities worldwide pose a significant challenge regarding the impact of early abnormalities during childhood and adolescence. Hence, early identification with the proper metabolic screening along with dietary interventions and physical activity can act as an important aid  in children to prevent the onset of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes risk during adulthood.

Source: Faienza MF, Chiarito M, Molina-Molina E, et al. Childhood obesity, cardiovascular and liver health: a growing epidemic with age [published online ahead of print, 2020 Feb 4]. World J Pediatr. 2020;1-8.