Early nutrition and development of cardiovascular disease

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is caused by risk factors that can present at all ages, including early life. Healthy lifestyle practices can delay or prevent the onset of CVD risk factors. Consistent evidence demonstrates that a healthy dietary pattern in childhood prevents the early onset of CVD risk factors and lowers CVD risk in adulthood. Healthy dietary patterns are abundant in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean animal- or plant-protein foods, and limit foods and beverages higher in added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium. Meeting dietary recommendations in childhood reduces the risk of CVD risk factors including overweight/obesity, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and elevated fasting plasma glucose, thereby decreasing CVD risk in adulthood. Health professionals should screen and monitor lifestyle behaviors, including diet, throughout childhood. Teaching children and their caregivers about implementing a heart-healthy dietary pattern early in life could benefit primordial prevention and decrease CVD risk later in life.