Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate cardiometabolic health markers among Aboriginal adolescents aged 10-24 years and relationships with age, gender, and body composition.
Methods: Baseline data (2018-2020) from the Next Generation Youth Wellbeing Cohort Study (Western Australia, New South Wales, and Central Australia) on clinically assessed body mass index, waist/height ratio, blood pressure, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, and triglycerides were analysed.
Results: Among 1100 participants, the proportion with individual health markers within the ideal range ranged from 59% for total cholesterol to 91% for HbA1c. Four percent had high blood pressure, which was more common with increasing age and among males; 1% had HbA1c indicative of diabetes. Healthier body composition (body mass index and waist/height ratio) was associated with having individual health markers in the ideal range and with an ideal cardiometabolic profile.
Conclusions: Most Aboriginal adolescents in this study had cardiometabolic markers within the ideal range, though markers of high risk were present from early adolescence. Ideal health markers were more prevalent among those with healthy body composition.
Implications for public health: Specific screening and management guidelines for Aboriginal adolescents and population health initiatives that support maintenance of healthy body composition could help improve cardiometabolic health in this population.
Keywords: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples; adolescent health; body composition; cardiometabolic risk factors; protective factors.
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