Women who are overweight or obese at age 14 or 31 have a significantly increased risk of having a blood clot and associated ischemic stroke before their 55th birthday.
In a new prospective cohort study, experts from the University of Oulu in Finland investigated the influence of body mass index (BMI) and its changes in adolescence and young adulthood on early cerebrovascular diseases. The results can be read in the English-language journal “Stroke”.
Over 10,000 participants
A total of 10,491 people (including 5,185 women) took part in the study, and their height, weight and BMI were measured at age 14 and again at age 31. Gender- and age-specific BMI ranges were used to define overweight and obesity.
The team also used national hospital and death registries to obtain data on ischemic and hemorrhagic cerebrovascular disease in people aged 14 to 54 years.
Connection with cerebrovascular diseases?
Using various models, the researchers calculated the relationship between BMI or its changes and cerebrovascular diseases. In addition, the experts also analyzed possible interactions between gender and BMI.
During the medical follow-up period of almost 39 years, a total of 452 participants developed cerebrovascular disease.
Risk significantly increased
The data analysis showed that the risk of ischemic cerebrovascular disease was significantly increased in women who were overweight at the ages of 14 and 31 – regardless of BMI in earlier or later years of life, the team reports.
Similar associations between BMI and ischemic cerebrovascular disease were not found in men, the researchers add.
However, men and women who were obese at age 31 were at higher risk for hemorrhagic cerebrovascular disease (bleeding in the brain), with men being even more at risk than women, according to experts.
The overall risk of cerebrovascular disease associated with obesity at age 14 was 2.09 times higher in girls than in boys, the researchers report. The risk of ischemic cerebrovascular disease associated with obesity at age 31 was even 6.96 times higher in women than in men.
Later weight loss does not help
The new study shows that women who were overweight at age 14 have an increased risk of clotting-related stroke later in life, and that it does not matter whether the affected women have lost weight by age 31, the research team said.
In addition, according to the researchers, women who were overweight at age 31 but still of normal weight at age 14 also had an increased risk of a clotting-related stroke.
“Our results show that obesity can have long-term effects on health, even if the excess weight is only temporary,” emphasizes study author Ursula Mikkola in a press release.
“Health professionals should be alert to overweight and obesity among young people and work with them to develop healthier eating habits and physical activity. However, conversations with adolescents and young adults about weight should be conducted without prejudice and without stigma,” adds the doctor.
Don’t just consider the weight
In addition, weight is not the only health factor that influences the risk of stroke. Many other factors must also be taken into account.
“By adopting a healthy lifestyle – better nutrition, not smoking, healthy sleep, controlling blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption and being physically active – you can reduce your risk of stroke, even if you were overweight when you were younger,” adds Mikkola. (as)