Indicadores bioquímicos del estado nutricional en adolescentes pre-universitarios de Caracas

the nutritional status of 94 apparently healthy high school students (15 to 18 years old), entering a preuniversity course at the universidad simón bolívar was evaluated. after a written consent of their representatives was obtained, the weight and height of these students was measured and a blood sample was collected. hematocrit and haemoglobin were determined in whole blood whereas circulating glucose, triglycerides, total and fractionated cholesterol, iron, ferritin as well as vitamins a and e were determined in the serum. the results showed that according to bmi cut off points, 17% of the students were overweight, 12% were obese and only 4% showed evidence of nutritional deficit. anemia affected 5% of the adolescents whereas 10% and 17% had low circulating iron and ferritin respectively. low levels of iron status indicators reached 28% in the females. in addition, 18% had low vitamin e levels. in general, the students showed no risk of cardiovascular disease however, 16% of the population had low levels of hdl and despite their young age 33% had at least one risk factor, suggesting a potential risk at an older age. the study showed that among these adolescents there was a group exhibiting overweight as well as signs of nutritional deficiencies.