Hypertension and Different Levels of Body Mass Index and Cardiorespiratory Fitness Amongst Adolescents

Abstract Background Hypertension is an increasingly common problem in adolescents; amongst the associated factors, physical inactivity and obesity are increasing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Objective To verify whether there is an association between higher blood pressure levels amongst adolescents with the relationship between different levels of body mass index (BMI) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). Method Cross-sectional study consisting of 860 adolescents. Higher blood pressure (BP) was considered as borderline and hypertension as the classification. BMI was categorized as low-normal weight and overweight-obesity. The CRF was assessed by a nine-minute run/walk test and classified into low or appropriate levels (less and more favorable to health, respectively). Later, BMI and CRF were grouped into one categorical variable: (I) low/normal weight and appropriate CRF levels; (II) low/normal weight and low CRF levels; (III) overweight/obesity and appropriate CRF levels; and (IV) overweight/obesity and low CRF levels. Data were analyzed using Poisson regression, through the prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The p-values of p <0.05 were considered significant. Results Adolescents with overweight/obesity and low CRF levels had a 22% higher BP prevalence. Moreover, children with overweight/obesity, but with appropriate CRF levels, have a 15% higher BP prevalence. Conclusion Adolescents with overweight/obesity had a higher prevalence of BP, regardless of CRF levels. It is suggested that maintaining normal BMI is a protective factor for less favorable BP.

Youth overweight/obesity and its relationship with cardiovascular disease and parental risk factors

ABSTRACT Objective The prevalence of overweight and obesity is gradually increasing in both developed and developing countries. Obesity, for instance, can present multifactorial causes that interact with each other. Among the important factors, parental obesity plays a prominent role in the onset of obesity during childhood and teenage years through genetics and ambient aspects. This study aims to verify the possible existence of an association between overweight/obesity of schoolchildren and cardiovascular risk (CVR) factors for their parents. Subjetcs and methods For this purpose, a cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 1,243 children and adolescents, aged between 7 and 17. Out of the total number of participants, 563 (45.3%) were boys who were selected across 19 schools in the urban and rural areas of Santa Cruz do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil). The overweight/obesity status of the schoolchildren was evaluated through their body mass index (BMI). Additionally, a self-reference questionnaire was employed to measure their parents' CVR. Results The results of this study revealed that students with overweight/obesity have a higher probability of having a father with hypertension (OR = 1.49; p = 0.038) and obesity (OR = 2.36; p = 0.002) and a mother with obesity (OR = 1.72; p = 0.016). Conclusion To conclude, this study confirms a relationship between overweight/obesity of schoolchildren with CVR for their parents.

Relationship between Dyslipidemia, Cultural Factors, and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Schoolchildren / Relação entre Dislipidemia, Fatores Culturais e Aptidão Cardiorrespiratória em Escolares

Abstract Background: The presence of dyslipidemia and behavioral aspects are determinants of cardiovascular risk, especially in childhood and adolescence. Objective: To verify possible relationships between dyslipidemia, cultural factors, and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in schoolchildren. Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated a sample of 1,254 children and adolescents between the ages of 7 and 17 from the South of Brazil, 686 of whom were female. Dyslipidemia was defined as increased levels of at least one of the following lipid profile parameters: triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and fractions of high (HDL-c) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c). Cultural aspects were evaluated by a self-reported questionnaire. Data were analyzed by logistic regression, considering the odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CI) at 95%. Results: The results revealed a high prevalence of dyslipidemia (41.9%), which was associated with female sex (OR: 1.56; IC: 1.24-1.96) and overweight/obese status (OR: 1.55; IC: 1.20-2.00). When lipid profile parameters were evaluated separately, high levels of LDL-c were observed to be associated with sedentary school transport (OR: 1.59; IC: 1.20-2.09). Schoolchildren who were overweight/obese had higher chances of elevated levels of TC (OR: 1.40; IC: 1.07-1.84) and TG (OR: 3.21; IC: 1.96-5.26). HDL-c was shown to be related to high television time (OR: 1.59; IC: 1.00-2.54). Conclusion: Alterations in lipid parameters are associated with cultural factors, especially those related to sedentary lifestyle and low levels of CRF.

Resumo Fundamento: A presença de dislipidemia e os aspectos comportamentais são fatores determinantes do risco cardiovascular, sobretudo na infância e adolescência. Objetivos: Verificar possíveis relações entre dislipidemia, fatores culturais e aptidão cardiorrespiratória (APCR) em escolares. Métodos: São sujeitos deste estudo transversal 1.254 crianças e adolescentes do Sul do Brasil, sendo 686 do sexo feminino, com idade entre 7 e 17 anos. Foi considerada dislipidemia a presença de níveis aumentados em pelo menos um dos parâmetros do perfil lipídico: triglicerídeos (TG), colesterol total (CT) e frações de alta (HDL-c) e baixa densidade (LDL-c). Os aspectos culturais foram avaliados por meio de questionário autorreferido pelo escolar. Os dados foram analisados pela regressão logística, considerando os valores de razão de chances (odds ratio; OR) e intervalos de confiança (IC) para 95%. Resultados: Foi encontrada elevada prevalência de dislipidemia (41,9%), a qual esteve associada com o sexo feminino (OR: 1,56; IC: 1,24-1,96) e com a presença de sobrepeso/obesidade (OR: 1,55; IC: 1,20-2,00). Quando os componentes do perfil lipídico foram avaliados de forma separada, observou-se que altos níveis de LDL-c se associaram ao deslocamento sedentário para a escola (OR: 1,59; IC: 1,20-2,09). Escolares com sobrepeso/obesidade apresentam maiores chances de elevação nos níveis de CT (OR: 1,40; IC: 1,07-1,84) e TG (OR: 3,21; IC: 1,96-5,26). O HDL-c apresentou associação com o elevado tempo em frente à televisão (OR: 1,59; IC: 1,00-2,54). Conclusão: A presença de alteração nos parâmetros lipídicos associa-se com fatores culturais, especialmente voltados ao sedentarismo e baixos níveis de APCR.

Obesidade e aptidão física relacionada à saúde: um estudo com escolares de 10 a 13 anos de Santa Cruz do Sul - Brasil / Obesity and health related physical fitness: a study with schoolchildren aged 10 to 13 years from Santa Cruz do Sul ­ Brazil

Introdução: O sobrepeso e a obesidade são considerados problemas de saúde pública e têm sido ligados a baixos níveis de atividade física, tornando-se fatores de risco à saúde e contribuindo para o aparecimento de doenças crônicas.Bons níveis de aptidão física também são fatores que reduzemdoenças crônicas. Objetivo: Avaliar a associação entre obesidade e aptidão física relacionada àsaúde em escolares de 10 a 13 anos de idade. Casuística e métodos: Estudo transversal compostopor 785 escolares, de ambos os sexos, entre 10 e 13 anos de idade, pertencentes a escolas municipais e estaduais de Santa Cruz do Sul, RS ­ Brasil. Foram avaliados o Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC) de acordo com os parâmetros da Organização Mundial da Saúde, e as características de aptidão físicade flexibilidade, resistência muscular e aptidão cardiorrespiratória (APCR) segundo os protocolosdo Projeto Esporte Brasil. Resultados: Em ambos os sexos, os valores médios de Índice de MassaCorporal são superiores entre os adolescentes classificados na faixa de risco à saúde para resistênciaabdominal e aptidão cardiorrespiratória, em relação aos adolescentes na faixa saudável (p<0,05).Além disso, adolescentes com sobrepeso/obesidade apresentam maior prevalência de baixos níveisde resistência abdominal (10% para meninos e 20% para meninas) e de aptidão cardiorrespiratória(21% para meninos e 22% para meninas). Conclusão: A presença de sobrepeso e obesidade estáassociada com baixos níveis de resistência abdominal e de aptidão cardiorrespiratória, em escolarescom 10 a 13 anos de idade.

Introduction: Overweight and obesity are considered public health problems and have been linked to low levels of physical activity. Both diseases became risk factors for health and contribute to the development of chronic diseases. Good levels of physical fitness are risk-reducing factors for chronic diseases. Objective: Evaluate the association between obesity and health-related physical fitness in schoolchildren aged 10 to 13 years. Patients and Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study with 785 schoolchildren of both sexes age ranging from 10 to 13 years-old, who attend public schools in Santa Cruz do Sul, RS ­ Brazil. We evaluated the Body Mass Index (BMI), according to parameters of World Health Organization, and health-related physical fitness characteristics of flexibility, muscular endurance and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) according to the protocols of the Projeto Esporte Brasil. Results: In both sexes, the mean values ofBody MassIndex were higher among adolescents classified in the health-risk zone for abdominal resistance and cardiorespiratory fitness, in relation to adolescents in the healthy zone (p<0.05). In addition, overweight/obese adolescents showeda higher prevalence of low levels of abdominal resistance (10% for boys and 20% for girls) and cardiorespiratory fitness (21% for boys and 22% for girls). Conclusion: The presence of overweight and obesity is associated with low levels of abdominal resistance and cardiorespiratory fitness in schoolchildren aged 10 to 13 years-old.