Metabolic risk factors clustering among adolescents: a comparison between sex, age and socioeconomic status

Abstract

The aim was to compare the metabolic risk factors (MRF) between sex, age and socioeconomic status in a sample of adolescents from Curitiba, Brazil. A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted on 997 adolescents (429 boys) aged 12-17 years old from public schools. Total Cholesterol (TC), LDL-c, HDL-c, Triglycerides, Glycemia, Blood Pressure, waist circumference and body mass index were measured. Sex, age and socioeconomic status information was obtained using a questionnaire. Descriptive analyses, Fisher Exact and Chi-Square Tests were used to establish the sample's characteristics and the MRF comparison between variables. We found that 27.4% were classified as overweight/obese, almost half of them had TC and LDL-c classified as limitrophe/altered, with a difference between the sexes (p < 0.01), and that a higher percentage of altered values was seen among girls. The percentage of 3 and 4 or more MRF was 13.8% and 6.3%, respectively. In addition, 86.5% of the participants had at least one and 39.7% had at least two MRF. We conclude that there was a high percentage of overweight/obese, as well as a great number of subjects with altered TC and HDL-c. We also pointed out the large percentage of aggregated metabolic risk factors in both sexes. Strategies to reduce metabolic risk factors are required.

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

“…Fewer studies (25)(26)38,39,51,52,62,66) used the NHLBI diagnosis criteria for elevated TC and LDL. Some studies (21)(22)(23)(24)(26)(27)(28)(29)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(40)(41)(42)44,45,48,57,(59)(60)(61)63) used criteria from BSC but with the same cutoff for LDL values indicated by NHLBI (≥130 mg/dL).…”

Sex differences in metabolic syndrome components in adolescent military dependents at high‐risk for adult obesity

“…risk factors than boys, although interpreting this finding is complicated given that analyses did not adjust for body composition. 6 In another sample of youths, waist circumference and systolic blood pressure were more frequently abnormal in boys than girls, but there were no significant differences in dysglycemia. 7 Moreover, insulin resistance, HDL-C, and triglycerides were more frequently abnormal in girls than boys.…”