ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC AND HEALTH VARIABLES ON THE ASSOCIATION WITH OVERWEIGHT, CENTRAL OBESITY, AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS AMONG ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between overweight and central obesity with cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 634 adolescents aged 10 to 16 years, of both genders, from public schools, stratified by clusters. Anthropometric, hemodynamic, metabolic variables and physical activity level were analyzed using the IPAQ (International Physical Activity Questionnaire). Descriptive analyses were presented using means, standard error, percentages, and confidence intervals. Poisson regression with weighting and logistic regression for complex samples were performed, adjusted for gender and age group. The prevalence of overweight was high among adolescents (31.4%), as were some cardiovascular risk factors: elevated triglycerides (45%) and sedentary lifestyle (46.9%). The mean body mass index was higher in 16-year-old adolescents (21.8). It was shown that the prevalence ratio of overweight was 1.11 (1.06-1.17) times higher in those with low HDL cholesterol. Central obesity was present in 10.5%, and its presence in adolescents was predictive of altered insulin resistance (odds ratio = 4.03; p = 0.05) and uric acid (odds ratio = 3.54; p = 0.02). It was possible to demonstrate that the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors was high in adolescents. Overweight and central obesity are associated with several cardiovascular risk markers, making it necessary to avoid weight gain and encourage weight loss in this population, raising awareness among government and society that a healthy lifestyle at this stage can reduce cardiovascular risk factors in adulthood.