Cardiovascular risk factors emerge early during primary school age, with central adiposity and silent high blood pressure manifesting prior to clinical disease, and multi-generational family history emerged as a consistent marker of risk, supporting routine multi-domain cardiovascular screening in primary pediatric healthcare.
A large share of children aged 6-12 in the primary-care cohort had excess weight.
Central adiposity, measured by waist-to-height ratio, increased across weight status groups.
Previously undiagnosed high blood pressure was identified in 7.1% of the cohort.
Rapid weight gain in early infancy was more frequent in children with obesity.
A family history of thrombophilic disorders and a less favourable family lifestyle score were independently associated with high blood pressure.
Family history of hyperglycemia was associated with childhood overweight/obesity.
Family history of obesity was associated with childhood obesity.
The authors conclude that multi-generational family history is a consistent marker of risk and support routine multi-domain cardiovascular screening in primary pediatric care.
This study looked at 479 children aged 6 to 12 seen by primary-care pediatricians in northwest Italy. It checked weight, waist size relative to height, blood pressure, early-life growth, family medical history, and family eating and activity habits. About 42% of the children had excess weight, and about 7% had high blood pressure that had not been diagnosed before. Children with higher weight status had larger waist-to-height ratios. Rapid weight gain in infancy was more common among children with obesity. Family factors mattered: a family history of obesity was linked to childhood obesity, a family history of high blood sugar was linked to overweight or obesity, and a family history of clotting disorders and less healthy family nutrition and activity habits were linked to high blood pressure. This research suggests that heart-related risk factors can appear in the early school years, often without symptoms, and that family history and home lifestyle may help identify children at higher risk. The authors argue this supports routine screening in pediatric primary care. Because the study is a snapshot in time, it shows associations rather than proving cause and effect.
Magrassi S, Bertelli E, Massarino C, Felici E, Secco A, Roviglione B, et al.. (2026). Cardiovascular Risk Assessment in Childhood: Focus on Family History and Lifestyle Habits in the Real-World, Cross-Sectional, Community-Based RISCAPED Study.. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania). https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62101947