Secular trends in established and novel cardiovascular risk factors in Welsh 12-13 year olds: a comparison between 2002 and 2007.
BACKGROUND
This study examines CVD risk factors trends in Welsh adolescents between 2002 and 2007.


METHODS
CVD risk factor data was examined from two cross-sectional studies. The first study (73 participants; aged 12.9 ± 0.3 years) was completed in 2002. The second study (90 participants; aged 12.9 ± 0.4 years) was conducted in 2007. Measurements included body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, fibrinogen (Fg) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP).


RESULTS
In boys, mean BMI and WC were lower in 2007, although not significantly (p ≥ 0.05). In 2007, there were improvements in mean lipid, Fg and hs-CRP concentrations in both sexes (p < 0.05). In 2002, 42.8% of boys and 34.2% of girls were overweight or obese; in 2007, this was 23.7% and 28.9% for boys and girls, respectively. More adolescents in 2002 exceeded the recommended levels for lipids, Fg and hs-CRP.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the only study to examine CVD risk factor trends in Welsh adolescents. Although overweight continues to be widespread in 12-13 year olds, this study did not identify significant mean changes in overweight and obesity between 2002 and 2007. Overall, the data presented a positive trend in lipid profile and inflammatory factors.
Thomas
N E
NE
Centre for Children and Young Peoples' Health and Well-Being, School of Medicine, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, Wales, UK. n.e.thomas@swansea.ac.uk
Jasper
M
M
Williams
D R R
DR
Rowe
D A
DA
Malina
R M
RM
Davies
B
B
Siegel
S R
SR
Baker
J S
JS
D000293:Adolescent; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D055105:Waist Circumference; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002784:Cholesterol