RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the levels of certain factors of cardiovascular risk in children and adolescents in rural areas of Gallicia. METHODS: One thousand eight children between the ages of 6 and 15 years selected from three primary schools were studied. Weight, height, blood pressure, serum levels of cholesterol and self admitted consumption of tobacco were determined in each participant. RESULTS: The patterns of body mass, blood pressure and total cholesterol selected to age and sex are very similar to those observed in a great deal of the Spanish and foreign studies. However, the absolute values do not necessarily coincide. The children studied were more obese than those reported in other studies carried out in the rest of Spain with similar values of systolic blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels. The levels of cholesterol in this study were within the range observed in other Western countries, lower than those found in other parts of Spain but much higher than the ideal quantities recommended by the WHO. Blood pressure was similar to that of a recent meta-analysis of Spanish studies but much higher than that observed in the Second American Task Force Study. With regard to the use of tobacco, this population demonstrated lower prevalences to those of other Spanish populations. From the age of 14 the consumption of cigarettes greatly increases, especially in boys. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity and blood pressure appear to be a more important potential problem than cholesterol among the cardiovascular risk factors considered in the children studied in comparison with populations of a similar age. If prevention plans on the use of tobacco are foreseen in Spain, they should be made before the age of 14 when an important number of children already smoke or have tried cigarettes.