Somatometric indicators, clinical cardiometabolic factors, and consumption of unhealthy foods among adolescents in Lima, Peru: a cross-sectional study

Pando Alvarez R.M.; Quintana Salinas M.R.; Pérez Condori R.I.; López Valdivia R.I.; Guillen Plasencia V.N.; Cruz Rosales A.H.; Vásquez Gonzales B.M. · Nutricion Clinica y Dietetica Hospitalaria (2026) · DOI: 10.12873/ncdh-2026-44

Resumen

Introduction: Somatometric assessment and dietary intake are critical determinants of cardiometabolic risk during adolescence. Objective: To determine the association between somatometric indicators and the consumption of unhealthy foods with clinical cardiometabolic factors in adolescents from Metropolitan Lima. Materials and Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study conducted in 569 adolescents (12–18 years) from two public educational institutions in Metropolitan Lima (292 males and 277 females) between August and December 2024. Height-for-age Z-scores (HAZ) and body mass index-for-age (BMI-forage) were assessed. The cardiometabolic factors (CMF) evaluated included: overweight (BMI-for-age ≥85th percentile), central obesity (waist circumference ≥90th percentile and waist-to-height ratio >0.5), and elevated systolic (SBP) and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (≥90th percentile). Unhealthy food consumption (UFC) was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. After testing for normality, chi-square tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, and multivariable binary logistic regression models were applied. Results: Adolescents presented 14.2% stunting, 39.2% overweight/obesity, and 5.8% double burden of malnutrition. Among CMF, WC ≥ 90th percentile was more frequent in males than females (26.4% vs. 17.4%, p = 0.02), as was elevated SBP (11.0% vs. 2.9%, p = 0.000). Elevated DBP had a 3.3-fold higher likelihood of occurring in late adolescence (OR = 3.3; 95% CI: 1.8–6.1) and was twice as likely among those with high CUF (OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.1–3.7). Conclusion: The double burden of malnutrition persists among adolescents. Central obesity and elevated SBP were more frequent risks in males. Elevated DBP was significantly associated with late adolescence and high CUF.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos