BRIGANTIUM STUDY - CARDIOVASCULAR RISK-FACTORS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN RURAL-AREAS IN GALLICIA (SPAIN)

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the levels of certa in factors of cardiovascular risk in children and adolescents in rural areas of Gallicia. METHODS: One thousand eight children between the a ges of 6 and 15 years selected from three primary schools were studied . Weight, height, blood pressure, serum levels of cholesterol and self admitted consumption of tobacco were determined in each participant. RESULTS: The patterns of body mass, blood pressure and total cholester ol selected to age and sex are very similar to those observed in a gre at deal of the Spanish and foreign studies. However, the absolute valu es do not necessarily coincide. The children studied were more obese t han those reported in other studies carried out in the rest of Spain w ith similar values of systolic blood pressure and lower cholesterol le vels. The levels of cholesterol in this study were within the range ob served in other Western countries, lower than those found in other par ts of Spain but much higher than the ideal quantities recommended by t he WHO. Blood pressure was similar to that of a recent metaanalysis of Spanish studies but much higher than that observed in the Second Amer ican Task Force Study. With regard to the use of tobacco, this populat ion demonstrated lower prevalences to those of other Spanish populatio ns. From the age of 14 the consumption of cigarettes greatly increases , especially in boys. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity and blood pressure appear t o be a more important potential problem than cholesterol among the car diovascular risk factors considered in the children studied in compari son with populations of a similar age. If prevention plans on the use of tobacco are foreseen in Spain, they should be made before the age o f 14 when an important number of children already smoke or have tried cigarettes.