A study of anthropometric, biochemical and nutritional parameters in adolescents in the area of Toledo, Spain.

Abstract

Background. An increase of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in the younger population has been reported in Spain. Adolescents have changed their dietary habits and increased the risk of metabolic syndrome (MS). The Longitudinal study in the area of Toledo aims to evaluate food intake and nutritional habits and their relationship with early development of CVD and insulin resistance/sensitivity biomarkers. Methods. A cross-sectional study was performed on 53 adolescents aged 16-17 years belonging to the Area of Toledo. Energy, macronutrient and micronutrient intakes and diet quality were assessed, as well as the prevalence to being overweight, the presence of CVD risk factors and parameters related to glucose homeostasis to identify candidates for MS. Results. Adolescents consumed monotonous diets, with low Mediterranean diet Adherence (MDA) and Health Eating Index (HEI) scores and with elevated energy contribution of saturated fatty acids and low carbohydrates. Being overweight but not obese was moderately prevalent in volunteers. However, a low percentage of them showed dyslipemia or insulin resistance. No significant differences between male and female adolescents were found for any dietary parameter tested. HEI and MDA scores appear inversely related to insulin resistance markers in boys and to fat mass in girls, respectively. Conclusions. The high similitude of diet in both male and female subjects suggests a general adherence to potentially negative dietary habits in this population. Paradoxically, dietary components and altered lipoprotein factors were not related. The overweight prevalence and, the association between diet quality and MS-markers found demands a follow-up study to ascertain the importance of present results later in life.