A.Shah1, V.Muddaluru1, K.Cost2, S.Campisi2, D.Korczak2,3
1Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin, Ireland;
2Neuroscience and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada;
3Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada

Cardiometabolic risk (CMR) factors in adolescents can persist into adulthood contributing to risk of chronic disease later in life. Diet quality is strongly related to cardiometabolic health in adults; however, little is known about this impact during adolescence.

To explore the association among diet quality, physical activity, sociodemographic factors, body mass index (BMI), and a calculated CMR score in adolescents.

We analyzed data from adolescents (10–19years) in the 2007 to 2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles. The CMR score was calculated by combining z-scores for: waist circumference, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), systolic blood pressure (BP), log triglycerides, and fasting glucose and then divided by the square-root of five. Lower values indicate a lower CMR and a better CMR profile. Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores were calculated using two 24-hour dietary recalls. Linear regressions accessed the relationship between HEI scores and CMR scores.

This analysis included a total of 2933 participants (47%) were female. The mean age was 15.5+2.26 years, mean BMI was 24.2+6.17, and mean HEI score was 47.3+12.04. The mean CMR score for females was –0.273+1.22 and for males was 0.244+1.4. In univariate analysis, older age (p<2.2x1016), male sex (p=<0.0001), higher BMI (p=<2.2x1016), and lower HEI scores (p=0.02) [indicative of poor diet quality] were associated with higher CMR scores corresponding to a higher CMR.

CMR score was significantly higher among boys than girls and greater in the older age group. Significant indicators associated with a higher CMR score included a higher BMI and a lower HEI score.

Dietary fibre plays an important role in decreasing BP, cholesterol, and excessive adiposity. To reduce the future burden of CVD, we need to profile and monitor CMR factors such as diet patterns in adolescents and develop effective prevention and health promotion strategies.

N/A