Obese Teenagers Show Signs of Heart Disease
Canadian researchers have found out that the blood vessels of obese teenagers look like those of older people. It is a sign that heart disease may be approaching. The aorta, the largest blood vessel of our body, was stiffer and thicker than it was supposed to be.
In the last two decades the number of obese children and teenagers has increased sharply. Doctors say that this will lead to massive heart problems, strokes and diabetes when such young people get older. Blood pressure and cholesterol levels were also higher. Young obese children may also develop bone and joint problems.
The research team suggests rethinking ways on how to protect our children from such diseases. Numbers in other western countries show the same signs. Figures show that about a fourth of all youngsters are obese. When they become adults they will experience many health problems. This means that health costs will go up and obese adults may have problems getting work.
Stopping such a time bomb is not easy. Families have to be informed that healthy food and exercise are the best ways to avoid such diseases. There are also other things that can be done. More physical education in schools and healthier school food could be one way. Experts also suggest that parents let their children walk to school, where possible, not drive them.
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Words
- aorta = the largest artery that takes blood away from your heart
- approach = come
- avoid = stop; keep away from
- blood pressure = the force with which blood travels through your body
- blood vessel = one of the tubes through which the blood of your body flows
- cholesterol = a chemical material in your blood; if you have too much , it may lead to heart disease
- decade = ten years
- develop = grow
- diabetes = disease in which there is too much sugar in your blood
- disease = illness
- exercise = to do sports or other physical activities
- experience = something that happens to you
- figure = number
- increase = go up
- inform = give information
- joint = flexible part of your body where two bones meet
- obese = overweight
- physical education = sport that is a subject at school
- research = study of a subject in order to find out new facts about it
- sharply = a lot
- sign = symptom
- stiff = firm, hard, inflexible
- stroke = when a blood vessel suddenly breaks or becomes blocked so that you may die or be unable to move some parts of your body
- suppose = should