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Associations Between Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease in Young Adults
Elizabeth Moxley1, Marc Conrad2, Desale Habtezgi2
1School of Nursing, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA (EM, TL, SB).
Insights
High body fat and HbA1C levels in young adults predict lower cardiovascular fitness, increasing future cardiovascular disease risk. Further research on HbA1C
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Exercise Physiology
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) affects 50% of US adults, yet young adult risk factors are understudied.
- Early identification of CVD risk factors in young adults is crucial for mitigating later-life incidence.
- Understanding the interplay between cardiovascular fitness and risk factors is key for lifelong cardiovascular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze cardiovascular disease risk factors and their association with cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max) in young adults.
- To identify predictors of cardiovascular fitness in adults aged 18-36.
- To inform strategies for improving cardiovascular health across the lifespan.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 18-36 year olds.
- Assessed glycemic control (HbA1C), cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), body composition (body fat, lean mass, BMI, waist circumference).
- Utilized correlation analysis and multiple linear regression.
Main Results:
- Significant correlations found between body fat, BMI, and waist circumference.
- Body fat and race predicted exercise duration; Asians exercised longest.
- Body fat and HbA1C predicted cardiorespiratory fitness, which was low despite normal average HbA1C.
Conclusions:
- Elevated HbA1C and body fat negatively impact cardiorespiratory fitness in young adults.
- These factors increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in adulthood.
- Further research on the effects of HbA1C on cardiovascular health in youth is recommended.
Introduction:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) impacts 50% of U.S. adults although few studies evaluate young adults' cardiovascular disease risk. Early identification of cardiovascular disease risk may mitigate increased adulthood incidence. We analyzed (CVD) risk factors and their association with cardiovascular fitness ( o2max) to devise effective strategies to improve cardiovascular health across the lifespan.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study evaluated the effect of a single bout of aerobic exercise on cardiovascular disease risk factors in adults aged 18 to 36 years. Glycemic control (HbA1C), cardiovascular fitness ( o2max), percent body fat, lean body mass, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI) were analyzed using correlation analysis and multiple linear regression.
Results:
Statistically significant relationships were observed between percent body fat (r = .83, P < .001) and BMI, and waist circumference (r = .83, P < .001) and BMI. Percent body fat (P < .001) and race (P = .018) predicted exercise time, with Asians exercising the longest. Percent fat (P < .001) and HbA1C (P = .039) were identified as predictors of cardiovascular fitness which was low in spite of primarily normal average HbA1C levels.
Conclusions:
HbA1C and body fat negatively influence cardiovascular fitness ( o2max) in young adults increasing adulthood cardiovascular disease risk. Research investigating the effect of HbA1C on cardiovascular health especially in youth is warranted.
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