Associated Factors to Total Cholesterol: School Based Study in Southern Brazil

Background: Evidence has suggested that a significant proportion of children and adolescents has high levels of total cholesterol. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and associated factors in 07-12 year-old school children. Methods: School based cross sectional study of a random sample of 1,294 07-12 year-old school children from Caxias do Sul/RS, Brazil. The students answered an interview with information on socioeconomic status, food habits, and physical and leisure activities. Total cholesterol, cardiorespiratory fitness, body mass and height were measured to calculate body mass index. For the data treatment, univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyzes were used. Results: The multivariate analysis identified that individuals from high socioeconomic level (OR: 1.70; CI: 1.05-2.75), of female gender (OR: 1.32; CI: 1.03-1.67), and overweight (OR: 1.40; IC: 1.10-1.77) had increased chances of having increased total cholesterol (>= 3(rd) tercile). Conclusion: High total cholesterol levels on 07-12 year-old school children are associated with high socioeconomic level, female gender, and overweight. Encouraging an active life style and appropriate dietary habits can help control cholesterol levels and reduce risk factors. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2011; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)