Ideal Cardiovascular Health in adolescents: Findings from Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents

Abstract

Background and aim: We assessed the Ideal Cardiovascular Health (CVH) in Brazilian adolescents according to demographics and socioeconomic characteristics.

Methods and results: This is a cross-sectional study with data from the Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA), with a nationwide representative sample of 36,956 Brazilian adolescents, aged 12-17 years, enrolled in public and private schools. The CVH metrics considered were body mass index (BMI), physical activity, smoking, healthy diet score, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, and total cholesterol. The demographics and socioeconomic characteristics analyzed were sex, age, race/skin color, and type of school attended. The study design was considered, and the significant difference determined by the non-overlapping of 95% Confidence Interval. The mean ideal CVH score was 4.0, higher for females, adolescents aged 15-17 years, and students from private schools. The prevalence of ideal fasting plasma glucose was 96%, of non-smoking 95.6%, of ideal blood pressure 75.5%, of ideal BMI 73.2%, of ideal total cholesterol 55.4%, of ideal physical activity 45.2%, and only 0.5% had an ideal diet. The prevalence of ideal CVH metrics varied according to demographics and socioeconomic characteristics.

Conclusion: Females, older adolescents, and students who attended private school had a better CVH. Demographics and socioeconomic characteristics were associated with CVH metrics. The low ideal proportions found for diet and physical activity are of concern and reinforce the need for food and nutritional educational actions designed to promote healthy behaviors in adolescence to prevent the development of cardiovascular diseases.

Keywords: Adolescents; Cardiovascular diseases; Ideal Cardiovascular Health.