Impact of dietary intervention on cardiovascular risk in adolescents

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular diseases cause more than a half of death cases in Croatia. Since cardiovascular risk factors are increasing in childhood and adolescence, their early recognizing and treating are of utmost importance. Although genetic factors play a certain role in appearance of cardiovascular risks, they are mostly related to poor life-style and eating habits. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess eating habits of adolescent population, diagnosed with one or more cardiovascular risks (increased blood lipid, blood pressure and BMI values) before and two months after the individual nutrition education. METHODS: The research included a group of 17 adolescents, age 14.5 years (12 male and 5 female). Initial investigation included a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), anthropometric (body height and weight), blood pressure and biochemical (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, TAG) measurements. The adolescents participated in individual nutrition education, and two months after the intervention, all of the measurements and dietary assessment were repeated. RESULTS: The results of this study show that the nutrition education on the adolescents had a significantly positive outcome in the two-month period. Total calorie intake, proteins, total and saturated fats, cholesterol, total and simple carbohydrates and sodium decreased significantly (p≤0.05), and the intake of fibres increased significantly, too. The mean BMI showed significant decrease from 30.3 to 29.5 (p≤0.05) as well as total cholesterol, LDL and TAG. HDL values increased and systolic and dyastolic blood pressure values decreased by 12.6 and 3.8 mm Hg, respectively. CONCLUSION: The intervention including nutrition and physical activity advices had positive outcome on eating habits and the intake of some nutrients, as well as on cardiovascular risk values in adolescents.