Secular trends in established and novel cardiovascular risk factors in Welsh 12-13 year olds: A comparison between 2002 and 2007

Thomas, N. E. and Jasper, M. and Williams, D. R. R. and Rowe, D. A. and Malina, R. M. and Davies, B. and Siegel, S. R. and Baker, J. S. (2011) Secular trends in established and novel cardiovascular risk factors in Welsh 12-13 year olds: A comparison between 2002 and 2007. Annals of Human Biology, 38. pp. 22-27. ISSN 0301-4460

Abstract

This study examines CVD risk factors trends in Welsh adolescents between 2002 and 2007. 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). 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. 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.

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