Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) share common and modifiable risk factors; among them, unhealthy eating, physical inactivity, alcohol intake and smoking habit. However, these factors are not observed in separate and, most often, they influence each other. Risk factors established during adolescence are highly likely to remain in adult life. The aims of the current study were to evaluate the prevalence and coexistence of risk factors for CVD, as well as to investigate individual characteristic of the adolescent and environmental factors associated with risk factors’ coexistence profiles. This was a cross-sectional, national, school-based epidemiological study that estimated the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome in adolescents aged 12 to 17 years who attended public and private schools located in Brazilian counties with a population of more than 100 thousand. For this study, thematic blocks referring to alcohol consumption, eating habits, smoking, and physical activity were used. The grade of membership method was used to identify the coexistence of risk and protective factors for CVD among adolescents. The study analytical sample comprised 71,552 adolescents. Multilevel logistic regression was used to assess the association between factors influencing the coexistence profile of risk factors for CVD. Based on adolescent-level variables, has shown that meeting positive criterion for Common Mental Disorders and not consuming the meals provided by the school have significantly increased the likelihood of belonging to the CVD-risk profile. On the other hand, school-level variables, show that studying in private schools and living in economically favored Brazilian regions have increased adolescents’ likelihood of belonging to the CVD-risk profile. These results can be used to substantiate the inclusion of food environment variables in public policies focused on preventing CVD development among Brazilian adolescents.
Highlights
According to estimates, 17.8 million people have died due to Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in 2017, which is the main cause of death worldwide [1,2]
Multilevel Logistics Regression analysis has shown that individuals presenting positive common mental disorder (CMD) criterion, who did not eat the food provided by the school, who studied in private schools and who lived in economically favored Brazilian regions were quite likely to belong to the CVD-risk profile
The coexistence of risk factors for CVD was observed in Brazilian adolescents whose behavioral patterns encompassed risk factors such as smoking, alcohol intake and Ultra-processed food (UPF) intake
Summary
17.8 million people have died due to Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in 2017, which is the main cause of death worldwide [1,2]. Mortality rates associated with this condition in low- and middle-income countries remained high from 1990 to 2017 (368.2 and 316.9 per 100,000 deaths, respectively) [1]. The most severe manifestations, such as acute myocardial infarction and stroke, are more prevalent in adulthood, risk factors for CVD have been often observed in children and adolescents. These factors emerge early and present high prevalence among Brazilian adolescents [6,7,8,9] and among adolescents from other countries [10]. Risk factors established during adolescence are highly likely to remain in adult life [11,12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
