Abstract
Background
The health benefits of regular physical activity are well documented. However, there are few studies associating this practice with sedentary behavior and cardiovascular risk in adolescents.
Objectives
To evaluate physical activity levels and sedentary behavior and their associations with cardiovascular risk using the Pathobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth (PDAY) score
Methods
A cross-sectional study carried out in state-owned public schools in Campina Grande, PB, Brazil, with 576 adolescents aged 15 to 19 years, investigating socioeconomic; demographic; lifestyle; and clinical variables. Data were collected using a validated form covering anthropometry data; blood pressure measurements; and laboratory tests. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's chi-square test, and binomial logistic regression using SPSS 22.0 and adopting a 95% confidence interval.
Results
Mean age was 16.8 years. The majority of the adolescents were female (66.8%); non-white (78.7%); and belonged to socioeconomic classes C, D and E (69.1%). The prevalence rates of sedentary behavior and physical inactivity were 78.1% and 60.2%, respectively. According to the PDAY score, 10.4% of adolescents were at high cardiovascular risk and 31.8% and 57.8% were at intermediate risk and low risk, respectively. PDAY scores were associated with sex and abdominal adiposity.
Conclusions
It was found that abdominal fat and being male were important cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents. Considering that modifiable risk factors were present, preventive measures aimed at lifestyle changes are essential.
Keywords:
physical activity; sedentary behavior; cardiovascular diseases; adolescents