Childhood Antecedents to Adult Cardiovascular Disease

Educational Gap New recommendations for blood pressure and lipid screening were issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics in November, 2011, and are addressed in this article. Objectives After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Understand the Life Course Health Development framework for examining the impact that childhood factors have on adult health. 2. Understand cardiovascular disease and the risk factors for its development, including pediatric criteria for the metabolic syndrome. 3. Understand the consequences of poor nutritional habits and obesity in childhood and adolescence. 4. Know the risk factors for hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, as well as how to evaluate and treat both conditions. 5. Screen for, diagnose, and treat type 2 diabetes mellitus.