Prevalence of dyslipidaemia and associated risk factors among Balearic Islands adolescents, a Mediterranean region

Abstract

Background/objectives: The increase in overweight and obese children and adolescents may be linked to increased rates of dyslipidaemia. The aim was to assess the prevalence of dyslipidaemia and associated risk factors among the Balearic Islands' adolescent population.

Subjects/methods: A random sample (n=362, 143 boys and 219 girls, aged 12-17 years) was interviewed, anthropometrically measured and fasting blood samples taken. According to the 2011 Expert Panel on Integrated Guidelines for Cardiovascular Health and Risk Reduction in Children and Adolescents, dyslipidaemia was defined as the presence of one or more of the following levels (mg/dl): total cholesterol (TChol)⩾200, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-chol)⩾130, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-chol)⩾145, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-chol)<40 and tryglicerides (TG)⩾130.

Results: The overall prevalence of borderline-high+high TChol, LDL-chol, non-HDL-chol and TG was 24.3, 10.4, 13.3 and 14.9%, respectively. The TChol prevalence was higher among girls (27.8%) than the boys (19.1%). The overall prevalence of borderline-low+low HDL-chol was 12.2% (boys 20.7%; girls 6.3%). The overall prevalence of dyslipidaemia was 13.7% (boys 14.9%; girls 12.9%). Low HDL-chol levels were the most prevalent dyslipidaemia in boys (6.4%) and high TChol in girls (9.1%). Overweight/obese subjects were more likely to have at least one abnormal lipid concentration (odds ratio (OR): 2.10; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06-4.15) and subjects with abdominal obesity were more likely to have at least one abnormal lipid level (OR: 3.17; 95% CI: 1.04-9.66).

Conclusions: One in ten Balearic Islands' adolescents has at least one abnormal lipid concentration. Body mass index status and waist-to-height ratio were associated with the prevalence of at least one abnormal lipid level.