Population trends toward increasing cardiovascular risk factors in Canadian adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To determine prevalence and cross-sectional trends over time for cardiovascular risk factors in Canadian adolescents.


METHODS
Cross-sectional trends in cardiovascular risk and lifestyle factors were gathered annually in 14- to 15-year-old students in the Niagara region, Ontario, Canada.


RESULTS
A total of 20 719 adolescents were screened between 2002 and 2008. The proportion of obese adolescents (>95th percentile for body mass index [BMI]) increased significantly, by +0.34%/year (P = .002). The proportions of adolescents with borderline high cholesterol (4.4-5.1 mmol/L) (+0.57%/year; P <.001) and with high cholesterol (≥5.2 mmol/L) (+0.43%/year; P <.001) both increased significantly over time. The proportion of adolescents with prehypertension decreased by -0.23%/year (P = .02), whereas the proportion of those with stage I hypertension (5%-6%) or stage II hypertension (2%-4%) remained constant. The proportion of adolescents classified as being at high cardiovascular risk increased by +0.67%/year (P <.001). Family history, low levels of physical activity, sedentary behaviors, poor nutrition, and lower socioeconomic status were all independently and negatively associated with all aspects of cardiovascular risk.


CONCLUSIONS
A significant proportion of 14- to 15-year-old Canadian adolescents have at least one cardiovascular risk factor, and the cross-sectional trends worsened during the period 2002-2008.
McCrindle
Brian W
BW
Division of Cardiology, Labatt Family Heart Centre, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. brian.mccrindle@sickkids.ca
Manlhiot
Cedric
C
Millar
Kyle
K
Gibson
Don
D
Stearne
Karen
K
Kilty
Heather
H
Prentice
Dawn
D
Wong
Helen
H
Chahal
Nita
N
Dobbin
Stafford W
SW
D000293:Adolescent; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors