BLOOD-LIPIDS, CARDIOVASCULAR FITNESS, OBESITY, AND BLOOD-PRESSURE - THE PRESENCE OF POTENTIAL CORONARY HEART-DISEASE RISK-FACTORS IN ADOLESCENTS

Objective To identify and compare the presence of coronary heart disea se (CHD) risk factors among 14- and 15-year-old boys and girls. Design For this cross-sectional study of 54 subjects, a blood sample taken a fter subjects fasted was used to determine total cholesterol (TC), hig h-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cho lesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride concentrations. Dietary intake was estimated using a 24-hour recall and a 2-day food record. Height, weig ht, and skinfold thicknesses were measured to identify obese and sever ely obese subjects. Cardiovascular fitness, blood pressure, and cigare tte use also were measured. TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, fitness, blood pressure, and smoking are modifiable risk factors for CHD. Subjects Adolescents were selected by random sampling form lists of students attending pub lic schools in tow central Texas cities. Adolescents who were 14 and 1 5 years old; were not pregnant; and had no history of high blood press ure, diabetes, or heart disease were eligible to participate. Statisti cal methods Data were analyzed using Student's t and chi(3) tests. Res ults Of the subjects, 25% demonstrated two or more risk factors for CH D. A significantly higher percentage of girls than boys had a TC conce ntration greater than 5.2 mmol/L. Boys (n=29) had a mean fitness score that indicated a higher level of cardiovascular fitness than girls (n =25); however, the mean score for both groups was below average. Concl usion Data provide support for increased interventions targeted toward lowering the risk factors for CHD and other chronic diseases in adole scents.