Relação entre peso corporal e os fatores de risco cardiovasculares em adolescentes escolares do município de João Pessoa-PB

Abstract

The increase in the prevalence of obesity and being overweight in children and adolescents generates a serious public health concern. Problems caused by excess weight, such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes and hyperlipidemia (high blood cholesterol) are predictive factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The aim of this study was to investigate the association between bodyweight and risk factors associated with CVDs in adolescents between 10 and 14 years old. For this, a sample of 1582 adolescent students (both sexes) was used, in the city of João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil. Data collection was conducted in 28 primary state schools (sixth year). Multiple linear regression models were obtained and used to help explain which risk factors are associated with body weight in the sampled adolescents, thus providing a decision model. It was observed that 53.2% of the samples were female and 80.5% identified as being non-white. Regarding the education level of the parents, 18.1% of fathers, and similarly 21.7%of mothers that have not completed elementary school. In the construction of the multiple linear regression model, the variables of physical activity, height, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were associated with weight. It is therefore from this, by using a multiple linear regression model, it is possible to verify the association between body weight and the risk factors that are associated with the CVDs in adolescents between 10 and 14 years. Our results suggest the need for action to be taken to support the adherence to a healthy diet, linked to raising awareness of the importance of reducing sedentary behaviour, and the adoption of healthy living habits, with the aim to improve the quality of life of adolescents, and thus generating a protective factor against the development of CVDs.