Allowing children to eat junk food could damage their arteries

EATING too much junk food at the age of seven can cause stiff arteries by the age of 17, research shows.

The British study of 4,700 children found that diets high in calories, fat and sugar could damage their blood vessels by adulthood, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

The research, led by Bristol Medical School, found that children who had a higher calorie intake, plus more sugar and fat, had stiffer arteries when they were 17 than those with healthier diets.

Those who ate a Mediterranean-style diet rich in vegetables, fruit, beans and pulses, fish and less meat were likely to have more “elastic” arteries as they got older.

Arteries are key blood vessels which bring oxygen-rich blood from the heart to cells in the body. Stiffness in the arteries is an important early marker of damage and is caused by a loss of elastic fibres and stiffer collagen fibres in vessels, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks.

The study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, and funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) examined data for over 4,700 children.

Experts looked at children’s diets from age seven and measured pulse wave velocity – a marker of arterial stiffness – and carotid intima-media thickness in arteries when they reached 17.

Experts said every child’s calorie requirement is different and depends on their age, size and level of exercise.

Dr Genevieve Buckland, BHF research fellow at Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, who led the research, said: “Children will be more likely to get all the nutrients they need and not consume excessive calories if they eat lots of fruit and vegetables, plus high fibre starchy foods like wholegrain bread, and brown pasta and rice, along with lean protein.

“UK dietary guidelines also recommend avoiding high fat and sugary processed foods as much as possible, because they are often calorie-dense and nutrient-poor.”

Dr Sonya Babu-narayan, associate medical director at the BHF, said the study suggested that “to stop heart disease in its tracks, improving people’s diets has to start early and be lifelong.