Childhood Obesity Tied to Higher Risk of Chronic Lung Disease Later in Life
New Delhi: Children who are overweight or obese may face a significantly higher risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) later in life, according to a new study conducted by researchers at Copenhagen University, Denmark.
COPD, a progressive lung disease characterized by breathing difficulties that worsen over time, is traditionally associated with smoking as a primary risk factor. However, researchers are now highlighting other contributing factors, including environmental exposures, occupational hazards, and increasingly, early-life factors such as childhood obesity.
The study analyzed data from over 276,000 Danish children, including 137,493 girls, born between 1930 and 1982. Each child had between 2 to 12 recorded weight and height measurements between the ages of 6 and 15. The participants were later tracked for a diagnosis of COPD from the age of 40 onwards.
The findings revealed a clear link between elevated childhood body mass index (BMI) and an increased risk of COPD in adulthood. Specifically, women with above-average BMI trajectories during childhood had a 10% higher risk of developing COPD compared to those with average BMI. The risk rose to 26% for women categorized as overweight and surged to 65% for those in the obesity trajectory.
A similar trend was observed in men. Compared to men with average childhood BMI, those with above-average BMI trajectories had a 7% increased risk. The risk further increased by 16% for overweight boys and 40% for boys classified as obese.
The study also noted a protective effect for women with a below-average BMI trajectory, who showed a 9% lower risk of developing COPD compared to their counterparts with average BMI levels.
Lead researcher Frida Richter from the Center for Clinical Research and Prevention emphasized the significance of the findings, stating, "Our results suggest that having a BMI trajectory above average in childhood may increase the risk of COPD later in life."
The research will be presented at the upcoming European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2025), scheduled to be held in Malaga, Spain, this May.
Nidhi Srivastava is a dietician. She holds a post-graduate degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from MRIIRS. With a profound passion for utilizing nutrition and lifestyle modifications to manage diseases, she is dedicated to advancing the field through rigorous research and fact-checking. Her expertise lies in evidence-based practice, ensuring the highest standards of dietary health and wellness.