Healthy lifestyle in childhood and adolescence supports arterial health

This topic is significant, as cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and premature mortality worldwide. Moreover, only a small fraction of children and adolescents engage in sufficient physical activity for their health or follow dietary recommendations. Collaborative studies between the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä and the Institute of Biomedicine at the University of Eastern Finland examined the associations between physical fitness, physical activity, and dietary fat quality with arterial health indicators such as arterial stiffness and structure. 

Physical fitness and normal weight support arterial health 

According to the research, good muscular fitness in childhood and adolescence was associated with better arterial health in adolescence. In particular, muscular fitness measured by a sit-up test predicted lower arterial stiffness. Higher cardiorespiratory fitness was linked to greater carotid artery wall thickness. Although a thicker arterial wall may suggest adverse changes in terms of arterial health, in physically fit adolescents it may reflect an adaptive response to strenuous exercise. 

Most of these associations were explained by body fat percentage, emphasizing the importance of preventing obesity. 

"Although the associations between physical fitness and arterial health were modest, measuring physical fitness in children is justified, as it can help identify other health risk factors and guide health-promoting actions in schools and healthcare," says doctoral researcher in exercise medicine Emilia Laitinen from the University of Jyväskylä. 

Vigorous physical activity and healthy diet together support arterial elasticity 

Another study found that adolescents who engaged more in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity had lower arterial stiffness compared to their less active peers. Light physical activity was not associated with arterial stiffness or carotid artery wall thickness. 

Higher intake of monounsaturated fatty acids was associated with lower arterial stiffness. Interestingly, vigorous physical activity was especially strongly associated with lower arterial stiffness in adolescents who consumed more saturated fat. 

"Reduced physical activity and unhealthy dietary habits in youth increase the risk of  cardiovascular diseases in adulthood," says doctoral researcher in exercise medicine Mika Jormanainen from the University of Jyväskylä. 

Researchers’ message: Invest in youth health early 

The studies emphasise that prevention of cardiovascular diseases should begin in childhood. Measuring physical fitness, increasing physical activity, and improving nutrition are ways to support youth health and prevent diseases in the long term. 

"The rise of sedentary lifestyles and screen time challenges the physical fitness and arterial health of children and adolescents. Both, good physical fitness and normal weight in childhood and adolescence support arterial health, but especially the prevention of obesity appears to be a key factor in cardiovascular disease prevention. Children and adolescents should engage in diverse and regular physical activity, and healthy lifestyles should be supported from an early age," Laitinen continues. 

"Improving physical activity and dietary habits requires cooperation between parents, schools, and society as a whole," Jormanainen concludes. 

The newly published results are based on the follow-up data from the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children study led by Professor Timo Lakka at the Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland. The study followed the physical fitness of 160 young individuals from childhood, and their arterial health was measured eight years later at ages 15–17 years. Laitinen’s research was published in the journal Sports Medicine Open. Jormanainen’s research was published in the journal of Pediatric obesity. 

The Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children study is part of the University of Eastern Finland’s Research Community for Metabolic Diseases. This community investigates cardiometabolic diseases using genetics, genomics, translational research, and lifestyle interventions. Strong research evidence on disease mechanisms supports early diagnosis, prevention, and personalised treatment of metabolic diseases. The research community includes 20 research groups ranging from basic research to patient care. 

Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children (PANIC) -study’s web page: https://www.panicstudy.fi  

Research community’s web page: https://www.uef.fi/en/research-community/metabolic-diseases 

Additional information and direct link to original publication: 

Emilia Laitinen, Sport and Health Sciences, Exercise Medicine, University of Jyväskylä 
Email: emilia.a.laitinen@jyu.fi  

Mika Jormanainen, Sport and Health Sciences, Exercise Medicine, University of Jyväskylä 
Email: mika.t.jormanainen@student.jyu.fi 

Laitinen, E., Soininen, S., Leppänen, M. H., Waller, K., Bond, B., Lintu, N., Faigenbaum, A. D., Laitinen, T., Haapala, E. A., & Lakka, T. A. Associations of Physical Fitness During Childhood with Arterial Structure and Stiffness in Adolescence: An 8-Year Follow-up Study. Sports Medicine – Open 2025; 11(48). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-025-00841-w  

Jormanainen, M., Eloranta, A., Leppänen, M. H., Laitinen, T., Kähönen, M., Laitinen, E., Lakka, T. A., & Haapala, E. A. (2025). Associations of Physical Activity and Dietary Fat Quality With Arterial Health in Adolescents. Pediatric Obesity, Early online, Article e70048. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijpo.70048