Resumen

LLANOS ZAVALAGA, Fernando, NAJAR TRUJILLO, Néstor E, MAYCA PEREZ, Julio et al. Prevalencia de obesidad e hipercolesterolemia en la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia - 1998. Rev Med Hered, ene./jul. 2001, vol.12, no.3, p.78-84. ISSN 1018-130X.

Obesity represents an increasing public health problem, its recognized the importance of its study in pediatric population and young adults for to prevent the complications that this can generate. Objective: To determine the prevalence of obesity and hipercholesterolemia in students of the School of Medicine at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. Material and methods: An analytical cross sectional study was made, evaluating 133 randomized selected subjects that went to medical examination of the university in February 1998. Overweight was defined as Body Mass Index (IMC) >25 and £30, Obesity as IMC >30 and hypercholesterolemia as total cholesterol >200 mg/dl. In each subject weight and height was measured and a 5 cc sample of blood in fasting was taken. Results: The prevalence of obesity were 3.76% and 26.3% of overweight. Hypercholesterolemia were encountered in 3.76%. No association between obesity and age or sex was found. The proportion of abnormal values of cholesterol were:3.76% of HDL-C, 13.53% of LDL-C, 2.26% of triglycerides, 6.76% of LDL-C/HDL-C and 5.26% of CT/HDL-C. Conclusion: The obesity is a relevant pathology in this group. We recommend a prevention programs and changes in life style in this population. Its aim is to reduce the prevalence of overweight and further risk of cardiovascular diseases. (Rev Med Hered 2001; 12: 78-84 ).

Palabras llave: Prevalence; obesity; hipercholesterolemia; students.