Abstract

ULATE-MONTERO, Guido  and  FERNANDEZ-RAMIREZ, Aileen. Relaciones del perfil lipídico con variables dietéticas, antropométricas, bioquímicas, y otros factores de riesgo cardiovascular en estudiantes universitarios. Acta méd. costarric [online]. 2001, vol.43, n.2, pp.70-76. ISSN 0001-6002.

Background and objectives: It has been estimated that coronary heart disease, as well as other chronic diseases, has its origins in infancy and adolescence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate, in Costa Rican young students, the relation of anthropometric and biochemical parameters, fitness level and dietary composition to the serum lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides) Population and methods: A sample of 110 youths (59 female and 51 male) between ages 17 and 20 years, were randomly selected from the total of new students that initiated at the University of Costa Rica in 1996. Pearson correlation coefficients were first used to evaluate associations between the lipid profile and anthropometric, biochemical, dietetic and fitness parameters. A stepwise regression procedure was used to identify independent associations between the variables. Results: Total serum cholesterol and LDL levels correlate positively and significantly (p<0.01) with percent body fat and triglyceride levels. LDL was inversely associated with maximum oxygen consumption (p<0.05). Greater levels of triglycerides, uric acid, waist, body mass index and B₆ intake were significantly (p<0.05) associated with lower HDL concentrations. Approximately 50% (R² = 0.459) of the cholesterol variability is explained by sex, triglyceride, HDL, and potassium serum levels. Conclusions: Since adolescence, sex and anthropometric variables like body mass index, waist/hip relation and percent body fat, presented the greater associations with lipid and lipoprotein serum levels. Also, maximum oxygen consumption, uric acid and potassium plasmatic levels, fiber, B₆, vitamin C and folic acid intake were significantly correlated with the lipid profile.

Keywords : Coronary disease; risk factors; blood cholesterol; diet; adolescence.