Nutritional status and cardiovascular risks in children of two schools in Bogotá, Colombia

This is a cross-sectional observational study. Children's weight, height, blood pressure, serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol were objectively measured from participants. Statistical analysis was performed using the ANOVA technique for parametric data and the Kruskal-Wallis test for nonparametric data. Study was conducted on 157 children aged 7-9 from two educational institutions located in low-income areas in Bogotá, Colombia. Weight excess (overweight and obesity) was observed in 46 subjects, of which 97.8% had a high or very high waist circumference. The lipid profile was altered in 45.2% of the subjects; 22.3% presented high levels of triglycerides. Metabolic syndrome was identified in 32.6% of the subjects with excess weight, thus being the most frequent component of high or very high waist circumference. Finally this study confirmed the high prevalence of malnutrition by excess weightand, also excess weight associated with high triglyceride and low HDL levels. The results of this study suggest the need for early and thorough interventions aimed at improving the lifestyles and quality of life of children.