ABSTRACT
World Health Organisation (2021) defined an adolescent as a person who is within the age bracket of 10 to 19 years. The prevalence of obesity can be attributed to nutritional transition where the traditional foods rich in fruits and vegetables have been substituted with foods rich in sugar and saturated fat, with little or no fiber. The aim of this study is to check the relationship between cardiovascular parameters, PA levels, nutritional status and anthropometry among adolescents in Benin metropolis.The participants were 402 adolescents, male and female, aged 10-19 years. It was a quantitative cross sectional study in which the cardiovascular parameters, PA levels, nutritional status and anthropometry were assessed using a sphygmomanometer, Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents, proforma about the nutritional habits, Body Mass Index and waist-to-hip ratio respectively.167 (41.5%) of the respondents were males and 235 (58.5%) were females. 27 (6.7%) of the respondents were overweight and 3 (0.7%) were obese. 34 (8.5%) of the respondents were hypertensive. There is a significant correlation between the WHR and level of PA (rs=0.111, ρ =0.026). There are no significant correlation between other anthropometric parameters (height, weight, BMI) of the respondents and their levels of PA. There is a direct significance and poor correlation between WHR and PA levels. There is an inverse significant correlation between the number of fruits the respondents ate a day and their weight, height and BMI. There is no anthropometric parameter that is a significant predictor of blood pressure. Getting breakfast away from home has a significant and positive association with the respondents’ blood pressure level (coeff=0.270, p=0.002). Juice has a significant and negative association with the respondents’ blood pressure level (coeff=-0.242, p=0.011). PA level has no a significant association with blood pressure and pulse rate. Underweight and normal weight were both negatively and significantly associated with blood pressure (coeff=-3.845,p=0.003; coeff=-2.935, p=0.019). Adolescents, parents and teachers should be educated about the relationship between cardiovascular parameters, PA levels, nutritional status and anthropometry.
