OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of arterial hypertension, inactivity and inadequate food intake related to cardiovascular risk in adolescents with excess body mass. METHODS: Cross-sectional study including 56 adolescents (21 boys and 35 girls) aged 10-19 years. Variables were: gender, age, weight, height, body mass index, nutritional classification, arterial hypertension, physical activity, and food intake categories scored in terms of cardiovascular risk. This intake was assessed through a questionnaire which established cardiovascular risk intake among adolescents by intake categories according to scored amounts and intake frequency. The questionnaire originated the variables intake categories and scores. Spearman's correlation was applied among body mass index, age and intake score. Student's test compared body mass index averages, age, body mass, stature and intake score, according to gender; and the chi-square test assessed frequencies according to presence and absence of arterial hypertension, physical exercise practice and intake categories. The Kruskal-Wallis test analyzed the variation of intake scores among the groups. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference between genders in physical activity (p=0.68), arterial hypertension (p=0.94), body mass excess (p=0.31), or intake categories (p=0.53). Body mass index did not correlate with age (r=0.20, p=0.14) or intake score (r=-0.06, p=0.60). There was no statistical difference (p=0.19) in intake scores among the groups. CONCLUSION: Adolescents showed no gender differences concerning arterial hypertension prevalence, inactivity and food intake related to cardiovascular risk, although for girls these factors were more frequent when these were grouped.
adolescent; cardiovascular diseases; nutrition; obesity
