Adolescencia, actividad física y factores metabólicos de riesgo cardiovascular

Cardiovascular risk factors in scholars (RIVACANGAS)

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The current guidelines for treatment of high blood pressure do not include any section dedicated to hypertension in children and adolescents or to cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention strategies in that age group. Our study was aimed at identifying cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) in an adolescent sample.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study of a sample of adolescents aged 12 to 17years (n=630), conducted from October 2014 to February 2015 in four schools in Cangas do Morrazo (Pontevedra). Sociodemographic variables: age, sex, personal and family history of hypertension and diabetes (DM). Anthropometric variables: body mass index (BMI, kg/m²), waist circumference (WC, cm), waist/height index (WHI), blood pressure (mmHg).

RESULTS

The study sample consisted of 295 female and 335 male adolescents (mean age: 13.8±1.4). CVR-related conditions: hypercholesterolemia (7.1%), CVD (1.7%), hypertension (0.8%) and diabetes (0.3%). BMI (22.0±3,8) was higher in males (22.4±3.8 vs. 21.0±3.2; P<.01). Overweight was greater in females (27.6% vs. 19.7%; P<.05). Seven percent of subjects were obese, 63.8% had systolic BP >P90 and 23.7% had diastolic BP >P90. Waist circumference positively correlated with age (r=0.1669; P<.0001) and was greater in males (75.4±10.9 vs. 72.9±8.9; P<0.01); 27.1% of adolescents had a waist circumference >P75, and 7.5% >P90. Eighty-four (13.3%) adolescents had two CVRFs (overweight+another).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite their young age, more than 10% of school children had two CVRFs. Abnormal SBP levels were seen in more than 50%, 20% were overweight, and only 75% had normal waist circumference values.

Study of lipid profile in a population of university students

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the lipid profile in a population of university students.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study with 702 students, of both genders enrolled in various courses at a public university in Fortaleza-CE. The demographic data and data on lifestyle habits were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. The blood collection was performed in a clinical laboratory.

RESULTS

Showed a predominantly young population, with a mean age of 21.5 years with more females (62.7%). High levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol and cholesterol associated with low density lipoprotein (LDL-c) were found in 23.0%, 9.7% and 5.9% of students, respectively. The cholesterol associated with high density lipoprotein (HDL-c) was at reduced values in 12.0% of subjects and was significantly associated with smoking (p=0.0231) and physical inactivity (p=0.0357).

CONCLUSION

Changes in lipid profile are present in the young population and intervention studies should be encouraged in order to reduce the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in adulthood.