(February 11, 2010 - Insidermedicine)

Overweight, glucose intolerance, and hypertension in childhood are all predictive of a relatively early death from endogenous causes, according to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Here are some dietary recommendations for children and adolescents over the age of 2, from the American Heart Association:

•    Balance dietary calories with physical activity to maintain normal growth.

•    Engage in 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous play or physical activity daily

•    Eat vegetables and fruits daily; limit juice intake.

Researchers out of Umea University Hospital assessed body mass index (BMI), glucose tolerance, as well as blood and cholesterol levels among 4,857 American Indian children without diabetes. The investigators then looked at whether these factors, standardized for age and sex, predicted death from endogenous causes before age 55. The children were all born between 1945 and 1984, and their mean age was 11.3 years at the time of assessment.

During a median follow-up period of 23.9 years, there were 166 deaths from endogenous causes. Rates of death from endogenous causes were 2.3 times greater among children in the highest quartile of BMI, compared with those in the lowest quartile. Similarly, rates of death from endogenous causes were 73% higher among those in the highest quartile for glucose intolerance, compared with those in the lowest quartile. Childhood hypertension was associated with a 57% increased risk for premature death from endogenous causes.

Today's research highlights the importance of controlling overweight, glucose levels, and hypertension among children, as these factors can have long-term health consequences.