Body mass index in early life and stroke in adult life

Abstract

The article “BMI increase through puberty and adolescence is associated with risk of adult stroke” by Ohlsson et al.1 explores the relationship between body mass index (BMI) when a person is young (adolescence) and risk of stroke when the person is older (adults). Previous studies2,3 have shown that rate of stroke is decreasing in older adults but increasing in younger adults. This finding coincides with an increasing BMI in children and young adults. The researchers wanted to ask: Does an increased BMI during puberty and adolescence increase the risk for stroke later in life? The authors also explored whether the change in BMI throughout puberty and adolescence is associated with increased risk for stroke. Since extensive literature has shown the relationship between elevated weight/BMI and cardiovascular disease, the authors hypothesized that increasing BMI through puberty and adolescence would increase stroke risk.