Low prevalence of ideal levels in cardiovascular behavior metrics among Mexican adolescents

Abstract Background Unhealthy behaviors are associated with high cardiovascular disease risk. The study aimed to assess the cardiovascular behavioral metrics according to the AHA, in Northwest Mexican adolescents. Methods The study was cross-sectional. Demographics, health history, and smoking data were collected by questionnaires. Dietary intakes were estimated using a FFQ, and physical activity using the IPAQ. Measurements included blood pressure and anthropometrics. Results Participants were freshmen students (n = 228, 55.6% men, age = 18.5±0.4 y). A higher significant prevalence of men indicated working, playing sports, and having a family history of hypertriglyceridemia (p < 0.05). Men showed significantly higher weight, height, BMI, waist, blood pressure, and lower total physical activity and body fat (p < 0.05). In dietary intakes, significant differences by sex were observed in nuts and seeds (1.1±0.6 and 0.9±0.6 oz/week, p = 0.042) and processed meats (749.8±639 and 503.6± 300.3 g/week, p = 0.002), with only fish and shellfish reaching AHA recommendations (513.1±450.7 and 501.7±428 g/week, p = 0.671), for men and women, respectively. Significant differences in prevalence between ideal, intermediate, and poor levels were shown for systolic (65.2%, 24.8% and 10%, p = 0.001) and diastolic (69.1%, 21.3% and 9.6%, p = 0.01) blood pressure, physical activity (25.9%, 43.9% and 30.3%, p = 0.005), and primary diet score (27.8%, 70.4% and 1.7%, p = 0.022). For individual foods, the lower prevalence in the ideal level was for sugar-sweetened beverages (10%, p = 0.013) and processed meats (4.8%, p = 0.208). Conclusions Northwest Mexican adolescents represent a high-risk group for developing long-term unhealthy habits. Their diet and physical activities make them vulnerable to cardiovascular complications early in adulthood.