Background.

Obesity is widely known to lead to increased cardiovascular risk factors (RF). Cultural changes observed in native populations, including the adoption of a western type nutrition, leads to obesity, increased levels of RF ,cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

Aim:

To determine the influence of a western type nutrition on RF among adolescent Aymaras in northern Chile.

Methods:

A cross sectional descriptive study was performed in Camiña (northern Chile), including Aymaras aged 11 to 18 years-old. A quantified alimentary consumption questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, blood glucose levels and lipid profile were obtained.

Results:

94 subjects (57% women) were studied. Excess malnutrition (obesity) was present in 41%, abnormally high waist circumference in 55%, high cholesterol levels in 53%, and high triglycerides in 90% of subjects. The contents of the diet being consumed was high in calories in 72%, high in sugar in 70% and high in lipids in 45%.

Conclusion:

A high prevalence of cardiovascular RF was present in adolescent Aymaras of northern Chile. This finding was related to the consumption of a western type diet, rich in calories, lipids and sugar, leading to obesity

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