P5310College students under stress have elevated cardiovascular risk factors associated to eating disorders

Abstract Background High prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in the global adult population refers to the need for prevention. Tracking phenomenon studies have inferred that since childhood, risk and protection factors can be identified, thus supporting public health policies. Purpose To evaluate the prevalence of stress and the cardiovascular risk factor in Brazilian students. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in our city with 3,471 students, both sexes, from 7 to 13 years old, 51.7% of whom were non-Caucasian, aiming to analyze 31 variables: a) biological markers for cardiovascular risk (weight, height, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, use of medications); b) health-related behavioural variables (ingestion of fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, dairy products, sweets, sugary drinks, fast food, snacks, lunch at home or at school, daily study hours, physical activity at school and out of school, means of transport to go to school, screen time); c) emotional variables (perceived stress at school and at home); d) socio-demographic data (sex, age, ethnicity). Data were collected in schools and tabulated; Network analysis considered 16 composite variables. Results A total of 17.5% of obesity and 16.2% of overweight verified at the studied population. Children and adolescents, under stress, are shown to have higher cholesterol levels, followed by increased use of medications or supplements, and increased physical activity, higher ratios for boys and non-white ethnicity individuals. Eating lunch provided by the school and being a female served as a protective factor for cardiovascular risk. Conclusion Considering the already known impact of stress on children's physical and psychological development and cardiovascular risk, it is urgent to establish public policies aimed at preventing these conditions, which have been severely perceived in very young, non-white and resident of a periphery of metropolises individuals.