Research in Medicine

Background : Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the major health problems in our country. The aim of this study is to determine the predictors of CVD risk factors in adolescents residing in distinct- 13 of Tehran .

Materials and methods : Dietary intake assessment was undertaken with 2-day 24-hour recall in 420 adolescents, 11-18 years old, from a total of 15005 subjects participating in Tehran Lipid and Glucose study. After excluding the under- and over- reporters 290 adolescents remained in the study. Data related to cigarette smoking was collected. Height and weight was assessed and BMI was calculated. Blood pressure was measured two times separately in sitting position. Serum cholesterol, Triglyceride, and HDL were measured in a blood sample after a 12-hour fast. To determine the predictors of CVD risk factors stepwise linear regression was used.

  Results : Results showed a strong positive correlation between BMI and systolic blood pressure in girls (p<0.001, b = 1.8) and boys ( b =0.04, p<0.001), as well as diastolic blood pressure in girls ( b =0.8, p<0.001) and boys ( b 0.05, p<0.01). There was an inverse association between calcium intake and systolic ( b =0.16, p<0.05) and diastolic blood pressure in boys ( b =0.36, p<0.01), as well as an inverse association between calcium intake and systolic ( b =-1.2, p<0.05) and diastolic blood pressure ( b = 0.05, p<0.05) and serum triglyceride ( b =-0.1, p<0.01) in girls. Positive correlations were found between BMI and cholesterol in girls ( b =0.2, p<0.01) and boys ( b =0.31, p<0.01).

Conclusion : Low dietary calcium intake, high blood cholesterol, and above average BMI is associated with elevated levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adolescent boys and girls in Tehran , thus predicting a higher risk for CVD.