The study focused on the relationship between childhood body mass index (BMI) and the later development of COPD, showing that children with higher BMI trajectories are at a heightened risk of developing chronic lung disease as adults
A new study has revealed a concerning connection between childhood obesity and an increased risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adulthood. The research, conducted by researchers from Copenhagen University, highlights the long-term health impact of excess weight during childhood, specifically its potential to contribute to respiratory issues later in life.
COPD is a progressive lung disease that makes it increasingly difficult to breathe over time. While smoking is the primary risk factor for COPD, emerging research has shown that environmental factors, occupational exposures, and even childhood conditions can also play significant roles in the development of the disease.
The study focused on the relationship between childhood body mass index (BMI) and the later development of COPD, showing that children with higher BMI trajectories are at a heightened risk of developing chronic lung disease as adults. Researchers analyzed data from 276,747 Danish children, born between 1930 and 1982, and tracked their weight and height from ages 6 to 15 years. The participants were then examined for COPD diagnoses from the age of 40 onward.
The results showed a clear pattern: women with above-average childhood BMI had a 10% higher risk of COPD compared to those with an average BMI. For women with an overweight trajectory, the risk increased by 26%, while women with an obesity trajectory faced a 65% higher risk. In men, the risks were similarly increased. Men with above-average childhood BMI had a 7% higher risk of COPD, and those with an obesity trajectory faced a 40% higher risk.
Interestingly, women with a below-average BMI in childhood exhibited a lower risk of developing COPD, with a 9% reduction compared to women with average BMI. Frida Richter, a lead researcher from the Center for Clinical Research and Prevention at Copenhagen University, noted, “Having a BMI trajectory above average in childhood may increase the risk of subsequent COPD. Our results suggest that being overweight during this early period of life is an indicator of risk for the development of COPD.”
This study is among the first to examine the long-term consequences of childhood obesity on lung health, reinforcing the importance of addressing weight-related issues early in life to prevent serious health conditions later on. The findings will be presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2025) in Malaga, Spain, in May.
