Objective: The objective of this study was to explore gender differences in the prevalence of silent and clinical apparent cardiovascular risk factors among adolescents in Aseer Region, southwestern Saudi Arabia.
Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study on a stratified sample of 1869 adolescents was carried out. They were interviewed and examined for weight and height, systolic and diastolic blood pressure using standardized techniques.
Results: The study revealed high prevalence of some potential behavioral and biological cardiovascular diseases (CVD) risk factors among adolescent males and females in the study area. Behavioral risk factors included inadequate low consumption of fruits and vegetables, physical inactivity, and smoking. Physical inactivity was significantly more prevalent among females than males (42.9% and 25.7%, respectively). Smoking was significantly more among females than males (11.8% and 1.3%, respectively). Biological risk factors found were family history of CVD, obesity and high blood pressure. Obesity was significantly prevalent among females (29.4%) compared to males (20.6%). Males had significantly more high blood pressure than females. In logistic regression analysis, being male (aOR = 2.992, 95% CI = 1.933-4.742) and obesity (aOR = 2.995, 95% CI = 2.342-3.991) were found to be significant risk factors in developing high blood pressure among adolescents in the region.
Conclusions: Presence of cardiovascular risk factors among adolescents is a public health problem in the region. There is a need for a national program in the country to prevent and control cardiovascular risk factors among adolescents.
Keywords: Adolescents; Cardiovascular risk factors; Saudi Arabia.