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 12–17 years (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.