Women who are overweight or obese at either age 14 or 31 are at a higher risk of experiencing an ischemic stroke before the age of 55, according to a recent study published in the journal Stroke. This risk was not seen in men who were overweight or obese at the same ages. The study, conducted in Finland, followed participants from birth and evaluated their body mass index (BMI) at ages 14 and 31. The research found that women classified as obese at age 14 were 87% more likely to have an early clot-caused stroke compared to those with a healthy weight, while women classified as obese at age 31 were 167% more likely to have a clot-caused stroke. Men with obesity at age 31 had a 5.5 times higher risk of a bleeding stroke.
Furthermore, the study found that losing excess weight after adolescence might not eliminate the risk of stroke, suggesting that women who were overweight as teens should pay attention to their weight in their 30s. The study involved around 10,000 participants, with 49% of them being women in their 50s. Participants were followed until an initial stroke, death, or the end of 2020. Despite the findings, experts caution that the study is observational and cannot prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Additionally, the results may not be generalizable to populations in other countries.
Men and women have different risk factors for stroke, with hormonal differences potentially playing a role in the increased risk of stroke in women. Women overall have a higher risk of stroke and worse outcomes, with more embolic strokes than men. However, men tend to have more hemorrhagic strokes than women. Additionally, women have unique risk factors for stroke, such as the use of hormone-containing medications like oral contraceptive pills. The study also raises questions around the fact that overall women have more embolic strokes than men, despite the higher incidence of stroke in women with excess weight at ages 14 and 31.
It is important for healthcare professionals to pay attention to weight management in teens and young adults and promote healthy lifestyle habits such as regular physical activity and a balanced diet to reduce the risk of stroke later in life. The American Heart Association emphasizes that the majority of strokes are preventable through lifestyle changes, including quitting smoking, being physically active, controlling blood pressure, and eating a healthy diet. Experts suggest that these lifestyle habits should begin as early as possible to reduce the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases.
While the study adds to the growing body of evidence linking overweight and obesity to stroke risk, further research is needed to validate the findings in other populations and explore potential mechanisms of action. The study’s limitations include its observational nature and the fact that all participants were born in Finland, which may limit the generalizability of the results to other countries. Overall, the study highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy weight from a young age to reduce the risk of stroke and other related health issues.
