OVERWEIGHT AS RISK FACTOR FOR HYPERTENSION IN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN CASCAVEL, PARANÁ

Abstract

The main objective of the study was evaluate the nutritional status and risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease in adolescents, aged between 14 and 19 years, enrolled in public schools in the city of Cascavel, Paraná.. There were 549 participants, who were evaluated according to criteria proposed by the World Health Organization and Cole et al. For nutritional assessment and risk factors anthropometric measurements of weight and height to calculate body mass index, waist circumference and blood pressure were collected, all of which were evaluated following recommendations of the Brazilian Cardiology Society. The prevalence of overweight was 14.39% and 13.39% for the World Health Organization and Cole et al., respectively. The presence of cardiovascular risk was assessed by in 10.02% of adolescents and high arterial blood pressure was observed in 17.85% (n = 98) of adolescents, prevailing again in males. Therefore, the conclusion is that obesity and other risk factors for cardiovascular diseases are highly prevalent being necessary to intervein in the eating habits of this group, keeping them under surveillance with regular studies to promote health and prevent diseases in the adulthood.