Serum lipids and lipoprotein levels in Costa Rican 13-18 year-old teenagers

Adverse levels of serum lipids tend to persist over time into adolescence and young adulthood, underlying the progression of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). Therefore, the lipid profile of Costa Rican adolescents and its relationship with dietary intake, physical activity and Body Mass Index (BMI) was evaluated in a total of 322 adolescents ages 13-18 years from urban and rural areas of San José, Costa Rica. Levels of Total Cholesterol (TC) and HDL-C (High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol) were significantly higher in urban adolescents than in rural youngsters. No differences were found between LDL-C (Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol) and triglyceride levels among urban and rural adolescents. TC, HDL-C and LDL-C levels were higher in females than in males. The mean LDL/HDL ratio was 2.3 with no differences between gender and area. Over 20% of adolescents showed borderline TC levels (4.42-5.17 mmol/L) and 10% borderline LDL-C levels (2.86-3.35 mmol/L). The proportion of females with borderline TC and LDL-C was higher than the proportion of males. No differences were found between areas. Around 50% of adolescents showed borderline HDL-C levels (0.91-1.17 mmol/L) and over 55% presented borderline triglyceride level (1.02-1.46 mmol/L). The prevalence of borderline and high triglyceride levels (> or = 1.47 mmol/L) between urban and rural adolescents was similar. However the prevalence of high triglyceride levels was higher in females (22%) than in males (14%). An independent positive relationship was found between LDL-C, triglyceride, the cardiovascular fitness score and BMI. Likewise a negative relationship was found between cardiovascular fitness, BMI, gender and HDL-C. This study suggests that primary prevention programs are required to decrease the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among Costa Rican adolescents.