Obesity and cardiovascular risk factors in children of obese parents: a review

Aims: To review the literature seeking to ascertain the influence and possible association between heredity and lifestyle of children of obese parents in the incidence of obesity and cardiovascular risk factors. Source of data: Were used original scientific and review articles indexed in Google Scholar, Medline/PubMed, SciELO and LILACS databases. Summary of findings: Obesity is considered by the World Health Organization as the epidemic of the XXI century. Several evidences suggest that heredity and lifestyle of young people influenced by the environment to which they belong, explain the onset of obesity and cardiovascular risk factors in children of obese parents. Studies show that adopting a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition and physical activity, have a positive influence on the reduction of body mass index, increases HDL-cholesterol, and reduces blood pressure, glycemic index, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, and therefore cardiovascular risk. Conclusions: The available evidence suggests that heredity and lifestyle may explain the increased incidence of obesity in children of obese parents and subsequent cardiovascular risk. It is essential to change family lifestyle, seeking for healthy habits such as physical activity and nutritional control, in order to prevent obesity and its comorbidities.