Study Finds Link Between Childhood Cardiovascular Health and Cognitive Development

A Finnish study found that even slightly elevated cardiovascular risk in childhood could play a role in the shaping of that child’s adulthood cognitive function. The study, “Cardiovascular Risk Factors from Early Childhood and Cognitive Function in Young Adulthood,” published in the February 2026 Pediatrics (published online on Jan. 15), followed 1,062 infants as part of the Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project who were randomly selected to be included in one of two groups: an intervention group that was given individualized dietary counseling and a control group that was given basic, widely-available health education. When following up with 542 participants at age 26, researchers found that higher body mass index, or BMI, in childhood and early adolescence coincided with lower ability to process information and remain flexible when problem-solving. Higher waist circumference also coincided with lower cognitive flexibility, the measure researchers said was most impacted. Other measures tested included information processing, working memory, and verbal memory. Researchers say their data aligns with previous studies that linked obesity to a host of issues in children such as slower reaction time, worse memory, and poor executive function. When researchers examined participant’s cholesterol levels, they found that higher total cholesterol in childhood impacted the participant’s learning and memory capabilities. Authors suggest a more aggressive approach is needed to minimize these impacts.  

##

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.