Colesterolemia, trigliceridemia e excesso de peso em escolares de Santa Maria, RS, Brasil

Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein alterations in children and adolescents from Brazil: a prevalence meta-analysis

Objective

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) alterations in children and adolescents in Brazil.

Subjects and methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence. The search for articles was carried out in the databases: Medline (PubMed), Embase, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (Lilacs). The meta-analysis was performed using the random effects model. The I² test was used to identify heterogeneity.

Results

The present metanalysis revealed a significant prevalence of altered lipid profile in children and adolescents in Brazil. Regarding lipoprotein fractions, the prevalence of altered TC level was 27.47% (95% CI 24.36-30.82), and a smaller prevalence was observed for LDL cholesterol (19.29% - 95% CI 15.21-24.16). The models revealed high heterogeneity (I² = 99%; p < 0.01), however the precise source of it was not identified; although type of school, age group, year and the region of Brazil appeared to influence the estimations of altered lipid profiles.

Conclusion

An important prevalence of lipid alterations was observed among Brazilian children and adolescents. Those results reinforce the importance of knowing the lipid profile of children and adolescents to perform early interventions for this public.

Dietary intake and blood lipid profile in overweight and obese schoolchildren

Background

The high blood lipid levels and obesity are one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, and the atherosclerotic process begins in childhood. Some environmental factors are supposed to be involved in this relationship, such as dietary factors. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary intake and blood lipids levels in overweight and obese schoolchildren.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study with 147 overweight and obese schoolchildren in Botucatu city, Brazil. The anthropometric measurements (body weight, height, body mass index, waist circumference and skinfolds), pubertal staging evaluation and biochemical tests were taken in all children. Three 24h-recall were applied in order to estimate the dietary intake and its relationship with blood lipid levels. The Student t test and multiple linear regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. Statistical significance was assessed at the level of 0.05. The data were processed in SAS software (version 9.1.3; SAS Institute).

Results

At this study, 63% of children were obese (body mass index higher than 95^th percentile) and 80% showed high body fat percentage. The percentage of children with abnormal total cholesterol and triglycerides was 12% and 10%, respectively, and 28% presented at least one abnormal lipid levels. The average values of anthropometric measurements were higher in children with elevated lipid levels. Total cholesterol levels were positively related to full-fat dairy products and triglycerides levels to saturated fat percentage.

Conclusions

Saturated fat was positively associated with elevated lipid levels in overweight and obese schoolchildren. These results reinforce the importance of healthy dietary habits since childhood in order to reduce the risks of cardiovascular diseases in adulthood.