[Tobacco use and plasma lipid-lipoprotein profile in adolescents]. / Uso de tabaco e perfil lipídico-lipoprotéico plasmático em adolescentes.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of tobacco use on plasma lipid lipoprotein profile in representative sample of adolescents. METHODS: A sample of 452 subjects (246 girls and 206 boys) 15 to 18 years old were included in the study. Each participant completed a structured and self-administered questionnaire concerning tobacco use. Plasma lipid-lipoprotein concentrations were measured by standard procedures. Differences between mean values were evaluated by analysis of covariance, controlling for saturated fat and cholesterol intake. Odds ratio was used to estimate the relative risk of the smokers being classified with an undesirable level of a plasma lipidlipoprotein parameter. RESULTS: The proportion of smokers was 20.9% for boys and 15.4% for girls. The average consumption of cigarettes per day was 9.2+/-4.7 for boys and 5.6+/-3.1 for girls. When compared with non-smokers, boy and girl smokers showed a significantly higher serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and apolipoprotein B100, and significantly lower serum levels of HDL-cholesterol. Adolescent smokers tended to show a two-fold higher risk of altered lipid-lipoprotein levels than non-smokers. CONCLUSION: The present data could imply that intervention promoting a healthy lifestyle, including non smoking, should start at an early age to prevent or delay development of atherosclerotic lesions and ultimately to minimize the appearance of premature coronary heart disease in adults.

[Cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents: biological and behavioral indicators]. / Fatores de risco cardiovasculares em adolescentes: indicadores biológicos e comportamentais.

OBJECTIVE: To provide descriptive information and investigate to what extent behavioral risk factors for cardiovascular diseases are associated with biological risk factors in the young population. METHODS: The sample included 452 adolescents (246 girls and 206 boys) between 15 and 18 years of age selected in a high school in the city of Londrina, Paraná. Risk factors of a behavioral nature were analyzed as regards insufficient physical activity, excessive intake of fat and cholesterol and smoking. As biological risk factor indicators we used overweight, high arterial pressure levels, and adverse concentration of serum lipids and lipoproteins. RESULTS: Approximately 20% of the girls and 16% of the boys presented at least one biological risk factor for development of cardiovascular diseases. Overweight was significantly associated with excessive intake of fats, while elevated arterial pressure was related to sedentary lifestyle and smoking. Excessive intake of fat and cholesterol indicated increased risk of undesirable concentrations of serum lipids and lipoproteins. The risk associated with altered blood pressure and serum lipids and lipoprotein was increased two-fold in smokers when compared with nonsmokers. CONCLUSION: The results reinforce the need for interventions targeted at the adoption of a healthy lifestyle, including the regular practice of physical exercise, appropriate dietary patterns, and abstention from smoking as of an early age.

[Centripetal distribution of body fat, overweight and cardiorespiratory fitness: association with insulin sensitivity and metabolic alterations]. / Distribuição centrípeta da gordura corporal, sobrepeso e aptidão cardiorrespiratória: associação com sensibilidade insulínica e alterações metabólicas.

The purpose of this paper was to investigate associations between the centripetal distribution of the body fat and serum lipid-lipoproteins, blood pressure and the index Homa-IR of insulin resistance, adjusting for indicators of overweight and cardiorespiratory fitness. Eighty-nine voluntaries were analyzed (44 men and 45 women). The centripetal distribution of the body fat was analyzed through waist circumference (CC) and the overweight by the body mass index (BMI). The cardiorespiratory fitness was followed by the estimate VO(2)max by test of walking. After adjusted for BMI values were found significant coefficient of correlation between CC and levels of blood pressure and ApoB in men, and between CC and index Homa-IR and triglycerides in women. After adjusted for VO(2)max values were verified significant correlations between CC and ApoB and index Homa-IR in men, and between CC and index Homa-IR in women. In conclusion, depending on the sex, the quantity and distribution of the body fat can present different actions in the insulin resistance and associated dysfunctions. The cardiorespiratory fitness per se seems not to contribute on the minimization of the association between the centripetal distribution of the body fat and the index Homa-IR; but presents a considerable impact on the association between the centripetal distribution of the body fat and the lipid metabolism and the levels of blood pressure, mainly in men.