Correlation between metabolic and body composition variables in female adolescents.
BACKGROUND
Analysis of metabolic alterations and body composition in adolescents.


OBJECTIVE
To study the correlation of serum levels of lipids, glycemia, insulin, homocysteine, HOMA-IR and blood pressure among themselves and with body variables.


METHODS
Data concerning glycemia, total cholesterol and fractions (LDL, HDL and VLDL), triacylglycerols, insulin, homocysteine and blood pressure were measured in 100 adolescents at the age range of 14 to 17 years, who had already had menarche and attended the public schools in Vicosa, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The percentage of body fat (%BF) was evaluated by horizontal bioimpedance.


RESULTS
In relation to nutritional status, 83%, 11% and 6%, respectively were eutrophic (EU), presented overweight/overweight risk (OW/OR) or low weight (LW) (CDC/NCHS, 2000) and 61% presented high percentage of BF. Total cholesterol presented the highest percentage of inadequacy (57%), followed by HDL (50%), LDL (47%) and triacylglycerols (22%). Inadequacy in 11%, 9%, 5% and 4% were observed in relation to insulin resistance, insulin, blood pressure and glycemia, respectively. For total cholesterol, insulin, HOMA-IR and nutritional state, OW/OR>LW (p<0.05). For body composition and nutritional status, OW/OR>EU>LW (p <0.001). Some positive and strong correlations were found between BMI and the anthropometrical measures estimating the % of total BF, as well as central distribution, except for the waist/hip ratio. The %BF was correlated with insulin levels (r=0.303; p <0.001) and HOMA-IR (r=0.281; p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Some metabolic alterations, most often related with excess weight and body fat as well as insulin resistance were found, reinforcing the importance of specific programs directed at the adolescent health.
Faria
Eliane Rodrigues de
ER
Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brasil. lilirfaria@yahoo.com.br
Franceschini
Sylvia do Carmo Castro
Sdo C
Peluzio
Maria do Carmo Gouveia
Mdo C
Sant'ana
Luciana Ferreira da Rocha
LF
Priore
Silvia Eloiza
SE
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000502:physiology; D000293:Adolescent; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008572:Menarche / Q000097:blood; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000502:physiology*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D006710:Homocysteine