Consumption of fruits and vegetables associated with anthropometric profile and cardiovascular risk in adolescents from a private educational institution

Chalco Solis W.; Gomez Rutti Y.Y.; Castro Mattos M.A.; Vidal Huamán F.G. · Nutricion Clinica y Dietetica Hospitalaria (2025) · DOI: 10.12873/453chalco

Resumen

Objective: To determine the association between fruit and vegetable consumption, anthropometric profile, and cardiovascular risk in adolescents attending a private educational institution. Material and methods: This was a non-experimental, quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional study with a sample of 159 adolescents. Frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption was assessed, and weight (kg), height (m), and waist circumference (cm) were measured. Statistical analyses included Fisher’s exact test (association between consumption and cardiovascular risk), Spearman’s rho test (consumption and anthropometric measurements), and multiple linear regression to predict waist circumference and body mass index (BMI) based on fruit and vegetable intake. Significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: 81.1% of adolescents had a normal BMI, and 15.1% were at high risk for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. There was an association between cardiovascular and metabolic risk and the intake of peaches (p=0.04), oranges (p=0.001), tangerines (p=0.001), and apples (p=0.001). Frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables was significantly associated with a reduction in abdominal perimeter, highlighting orange (B = -1.489 cm; p < 0.001), followed by broccoli (B = -1.785 cm; p = 0.020), caigua (B = -1.651 cm; p = 0.003), onion (B = -1.426 cm; p = 0.002), spinach (B = -1.121 cm; p = 0.003), tomato (B = -0.892 cm; p = 0.017) and apple (B = -0.854 cm; p = 0.025). A reduction in BMI was also observed with the consumption of oranges (B = -0.848 kg/m2; p < 0.001), onions (B = -0.631 kg/m2; p = 0.003), broccoli (B = -0.774 kg/m2; p = 0.029), and caigua (B = -0.517 kg/m2; p = 0.049). Conclusion: The majority of adolescents had a normal nutritional diagnosis based on their BMI. For each unit increase in consumption of these foods, a decrease in waist circumference of between 0.85 and 1.78 cm was estimated, and BMI decreased between 0.51 and 0.85 kg/m2.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de Educación Enrique Guzmán y Valle