Tamara Thomas

Urban Health Today

Sedentary time may increase heart size 3 times more than moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in adolescents, according to a study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine &amp; Science.Previous research linked physical inactivity with conditions in adults such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. However, there has been a knowledge gap in the effect of sedentary time and physical activity on the heart&rsquo;s structure.For this study, the researchers examined how sedentary time and different physical activity intensities affect the heart&rsquo;s structure and function. The researchers used data from the University of Bristol to study children born in the 1990s, also called the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, which included 530 17-year-olds.On average, the adolescents in this study were sedentary for almost 8 hours and engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity for about 49 minutes daily.The study revealed that both sedentary time and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were associated with an increase in the size of heart ventricles. However, the researchers observed that the increase in heart size associated with sedentary time was 3 times higher than that associated with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.This increase in heart size is concerning as it is associated with decreased heart function and may elevate the risk of heart failure, heart attack, stroke, and premature cardiovascular death. The researchers observed that light physical activity was associated with better heart function.&ldquo;It is known among adults that a 5 g/m2 increase in cardiac mass may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and death by 7&ndash; 20%. Engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity also slightly enlarges the heart, but it seems an acceptable negative side effect considering several other health benefits of moderate-to-vigorous exercise,&rdquo; stated Dr. Andrew Agbaje, the study&rsquo;s physician and lead author.Further, &ldquo;public health experts, health policymakers, high school administrators and teachers, pediatricians, and caregivers are encouraged to facilitate adolescent participation in physical activity to enable a healthy heart.&rdquo;Source: <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230412131217.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Science Daily</a>

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A Sedentary Lifestyle May Increase Heart Size in Adolescents

Heart Health

Sedentary time may increase heart size 3 times more than moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in adolescents.

A Sedentary Lifestyle May Increase Heart Size in Adolescents 

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