ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN LIFE-STYLE AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK-FACTORS IN 18-YEAR-OLD AUSTRALIANS

Purpose: This study aimed to examine associations between cardiovascul ar risk factors and variables reflecting health-related behaviors in 1 8-year-old Australians. Methods: Anthropometry, blood pressure, nonfas ting serum cholesterol, and physical fitness were measured in 301 male and 286 female Australian 18-year-olds. Usual physical activity, smok ing, and drinking habits were assessed by questionnaire. Results: Syst olic (SEP), with mean SEP higher by 14 mm Hg in males, related positiv ely to weight for height for age and ''unsafe'' drinking (exceeding Au stralian national guidelines) and negatively to fitness and birth weig ht. Total cholesterol, which was positively associated with waist-hip ratio and negatively with fitness, was higher in females [mean 4.4 mmo l/L, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.3, 4.5] than in males (mean 4.1 mm ol/L, 95% CI 4.0, 4.2). In 24% of males and 48% of females, usual leve ls of physical activity were low, consistent with lower scores on fitn ess tests in females. Thirty percent of males and 24% of females regul arly drank at ''unsafe,'' levels while 26% of males and 29% of females smoked. Smoking was associated with ''unsafe'' drinking. Conclusion: Cardiovascular risk factors in 18-year-olds are related to smoking, '' unsafe'' drinking, and physical inactivity, particularly in females. T hese behaviors should be targeted in designing multimodal health promo tion programs appropriate for these young adults. (C) Society for Adol escent Medicine, 1997.