Blood lipids, cardiovascular fitness, obesity, and blood pressure: the presence of potential coronary heart disease risk factors in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE

To identify and compare the presence of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors among 14- and 15-year-old boys and girls.

DESIGN

For this cross-sectional study of 54 subjects, a blood sample taken after subjects fasted was used to determine total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride concentrations. Dietary intake was estimated using a 24-hour recall and a 2-day food record. Height, weight, and skinfold thicknesses were measured to identify obese and severely obese subjects. Cardiovascular fitness, blood pressure, and cigarette use also were measured. TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, fitness, blood pressure, and smoking are modifiable risk factors, for CHD.

SUBJECTS

Adolescents were selected by random sampling from lists of students attending public schools in two central Texas cities. Adolescents who were 14 or 15 years old; were not pregnant; and had no history of high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease were eligible to participate.

STATISTICAL METHODS

Data were analyzed using Student's t and chi square tests.

RESULTS

Of the subjects, 25% demonstrated two or more risk factors for CHD. A significantly higher percentage of girls than boys had a TC concentration greater than 5.2 mmol/L. Boys (n=29) had a mean fitness score that indicated a higher level of cardiovascular fitness than girls (n=25); however, the mean score for both groups was below average.

CONCLUSION

Data provide support for increased interventions targeted toward lowering the risk factors for CHD and other chronic diseases in adolescents.