Exercise is good for the heart, but how early in life can the effects of inactivity be seen? According to a study from Finland, children as young as 6–8 years of age were already showing links between arterial stiffness and low levels of physical activity, weaker physical fitness, and higher body fat content. Children with higher levels of physical fitness had better arterial dilation capacity during physical exercise than their peers. Those who had both weak physical fitness and a high body fat percentage or low levels of physical activity had the stiffest arteries.
With rising levels of vascular diseases and type 2 diabetes around the globe, early changes in behavior now reduces risks later in life. Allowing your children to be inactive paves the way for future health problems. “Sedentary lifestyle and overweight weaken arterial health already in childhood,” University of Eastern Finland, www.uef.fi, September 11, 2015.
Taken from Last Generation, Vol. 26 No. 1, “Life Lines”. Last Generation is a vibrant 32-page soul-winning magazine published six times a year. To subscribe, call (540) 672-1996, Ext. 283. https://lastgen.net/