DETECTION OF CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS IN ADOLESCENTS ATTENDING MONTEVIDEO PUBLIC SECONDARY EDUCATION.

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in Uruguay. There is no research concerning teenagers in Uruguay.This study describes the risk situation of cardiovascular disease in teenagers studying in Montevideo´s public schools during September – October 2010. To achieve this objective, presence of cardiovascular risk factors in this population were studied, in order to measure their prevalence and to know their frequency of association. It is a descriptive cross-sectional study with quantitative approach. The population was 31500 students with a sample of 383 students. Results: only 3% of the population takes 5 or more pie ces of fruits or vegetables per day. More than half do not eat fish. 7% smoked in the last 30 days, 46,6% smoked at home. 27% are overweight. 92% practice sports at school and 45,7% exercise outside the school. 8,5% of parents have heart disease and 33% high blood pressure. We can conclude there are several modifiable cardiovascularrisk factors among this population (half of the studied population), being women the most affected.