Heart disease doesn’t just happen. Diet, exercise habits, and genetics all contribute to risk. So does obesity.

And not just overweight or obese adults, even young children – like six year olds – can begin to show signs of cardiovascular disease.

Published in the journal Pediatrics, researchers found higher levels of C-reactive protein – a marker for artery inflammation and heart disease – among obese children.

High C-reactive protein levels were evident in overweight children ages 6 and 9.

Here’s the problem. Adults know – because they are bombarded with messages – that being overweight, not exercising enough, and eating poorly aren’t healthy, but young children are more oblivious.

So the researchers say obtaining C-reactive protein levels in obese children could help motivate parents and doctors to intervene.

Via HealthDay News.

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In recent years, trans-fat has become synonymous with evil; being linked to things like cancer, heart disease, and now stroke.

Presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2010, expert claims trans-fat increases stroke risk in post-menopausal women

Trans-fat is formed in partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, which is often used in fried and processed foods, and helps to extend shelf-life.

Researchers followed 87,230 post-menopausal women, ages 50 to 79, and how much trans-fat they consumed. After 7.6 years, 1,049 women had strokes.

Data showed women eating the highest average amount of trans-fat each day – roughly seven grams – were 30% more likely to have a stroke, this compared to women consuming only one gram per day.

In 2008, California became the first state to ban trans-fat in restaurants and retail food stores.

Via Food Navigator.

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Consuming a Mediterranean diet, hefty in olive oil, fish, grains, and fruits and vegetables, seems to protect the brain from cognitive—i.e. thinking—problems

In a study, funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, researchers found Mediterranean-type diets guarded against brain damage linked cognitive problems, and lower risk of depression, cancer, and heart disease.

Scientists looked at 712 men and women, average age of 80, and with no history of stroke; only 238 had some form of brain damage.

After following the participants for six years and studying how closely they adhered to a Mediterranean diet, experts found people eating a very Mediterranean-like diet had fewer brain issues and stroke, and a 36% lower risk of brain damage.

Via HealthDay News.

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Not exactly a good start for the future of a country.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports one in five American teenagers have high cholesterol levels.

High cholesterol is a known risk factor for heart disease.

Studying data from a national health survey, the CDC found 20.3% of young people, ages 12 to 19, had unhealthy cholesterol levels.

Heavier teens were more likely to have high cholesterol and boys were found to be at higher risk than girls.

Researchers say unhealthy cholesterol often begins in childhood and adolescence, so it’s important that doctors identify it early and recommend lifestyle interventions.

Via Reuters.

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Hard to believe a pair of “thunder thighs” might actually do you some good, but some researchers seem to think so.

Appearing in the International Journal of Obesity, experts say fatty acids stored on the thighs may lure fat from a person’s diet and keep it from overwhelming the rest of their body.

And people with lots of fat on the bottom half of their body have lower levels of inflammatory chemicals associated with heart disease.

Fat thighs may also help produce more a leptin, a hormone that influences appetite and metabolism.

It’s hard to take solace in this when you can’t fit into your favorite jeans anymore.

Via Reuters.

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It’s hard to resist back-to-back episodes of Sanford and Son, but too many marathons of TV watching may shorten your life, especially if you endlessly channel surf every day.

Published in the journal Circulation, scientists found each hour spent sitting in front of the television raised a person’s risk of dying prematurely from heart disease.

For the study, experts tracked the lifestyle habits of 8,800 adults; such as smoking, diet, exercise, waist measurement, and high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Data showed every hour spent in front of the television was associated with an 11% higher risk of dying from all causes; 9% higher risk of cancer death; and an 18% increased risk of death due to cardiovascular disease.

And people watching more than four hours of TV each day had a 46% higher risk of death from all causes and an 80% higher risk of heart disease related death.

So if you take in a little too much boob-tube every day, you’ll be doing the Fred Sanford chest grab for real.

Via Reuters.

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