Jason M. Nagat, lead author of the study said: ”The finding that adolescent BMI is a risk factor for poor health outcomes in adulthood, regardless of adult BMI, has significant implications for our understanding of cardiovascular disease onset.
“Considering these findings, health care providers should consider BMI history when assessing for cardiovascular and chronic disease risk.
“Our study suggests that adolescence is an important time period to optimise health and prevent early heart attacks,” Nagata continued. “Paediatricians should encourage teens to develop healthy behaviours including physical activity and balanced meals.”
Doctor Deena Adimoolam, a Yale-trained endocrinologist who specializes in diabetes also explained that it is vital to know your risk for diabetes and to be screened early if you are concerned over your risk.