Diet and risk factors for cardiovascular disease in scholar adolescents: cross-sectional study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the quality of diet and its relationship with risk factors for cardiovascular disease in adolescent students in a public school. METHODS: This descriptive, prospective, cross-sectional study included 100 students aged 14 to 18 years, of both sexes, enrolled in a public school located in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The outcomes investigated were: insufficient levels of physical activity, inadequate eating habits, high blood pressure, alcoholism, excess body weight, and smoking. RESULTS: Of the total sample investigated, 31% of the students were overweight, 65% were inactive, and 32% had altered systolic and 15% diastolic blood pressure. Regarding the dietary profile, a high intake of protein (19.4% of total energy value) and sodium (4917 mg/day) was observed. The opposite was observed in relation to cardioprotective nutrients, in which consumption was below the recommended daily dietary allowance: calcium (239.4 mg), fiber (13.4 g) and monounsaturated fats (6.5%). Furthermore, it was found that overweight adolescents were those who presented higher percentages of dietary inadequacies in lipid (p=0.03) and calcium (p=0.03) intake when compared to eutrophic adolescents. CONCLUSION: These findings reinforce that risk factors are increasingly present in children and adolescents, intensifying the need to implement health actions aimed at early ages.