Selected atherosclerosis risk factors in youth aged 13-15 years 

The high frequency of cases of circulatory system conditions in Europe and other countries around the world requires scientific research to define risk factors of early atherosclerotic changes. The aim of the present study was to define which students are at danger of developing atherosclerosis by means of measuring cholesterol and triglyceride levels in blood as well as defining the correlation between atherosclerosis risk factors and arterial blood pressure, physical fitness and efficiency of the subjects.

The research covered 167 students of Public Junior High School 1 in Biala Podlaska aged 13-15 years. Accutrend GCT was employed to define the levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides in the screen test. Those students who were found to have increased values of biochemical parameters of capillary blood were subjected to additional blood tests aiming to define complete lipid profile of venous blood. The blood pressure in subjects was tested three times. The Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA) test, suggested by American authors, was employed to define physical activity in subjects. EUROFIT was employed to define physical efficiency.

Among the 167 subjects there were found 42 students (25.1%) whose lipid level in capillary blood proved to be increased. Full lipid profile tests proved that 16 students (9.6%) had increased blood lipid levels; those subjects constituted the risk group. Subjects in the risk group were characterized by lower levels of physical activity and physical efficiency compared to subjects with normal blood lipid level. Moreover, the frequency of hypertension was greater in risk group subjects compared to subjects with normal blood lipid levels.

Students diagnosed with atherosclerosis risk factors require observation and early prophylactics by adopting habits of healthy physical activity.