CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS AND METABOLIC SYNDROME IN A POPULATION OF YOUNG STUDENTS FROM THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF COLOMBIA

OBJECTIVE. To estimate prevalence and distribution of cardiovascular risk factors and Metabolic Syndrome (MS) in young individuals admitted to the National University of Colombia in Bogota. METHODS. An analytic cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 249 individuals of both genders aged 15 to 20 years. A questionnaire was personally administered to collect demographic, socioeconomic, smoking, perinatal, and women's health data. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and a fasting blood sample were taken. Prevalence of MS was determined and compared using criteria from several qualified institutions. RESULTS. We found a high prevalence of smoking (18.9%), arterial prehypertension (14.1%) and overweight (11.2%), 9.2% of study participants had prediabetes, and the most frequent dyslipidemia was low HDL cholesterol (13.3%). Alcoholic beverage consumption was declared by 60.6% of study participants. Body mass index was associated with significant increases in blood pressure, LDL cholesterol and plasma triglyceride levels. Gestational age at birth was inversely associated with presence of low HDL cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. Prevalence of the MS varied markedly according to the definition employed: 9.2% using REGODCI (Research Group on Diabetes and Chronic Illnesses) criteria, 2% using IDF (International Diabetes Federation) criteria, and 2.4% using AHA (American Heart Association) criteria. CONCLUSION. The encountered prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors justifies promotion of therapeutic lifestyle changes among this age group in Colombia. Further harmonization of MS criteria in young individuals is needed.