Association of socioeconomic status, truncal fat and sICAM-1 with carotid intima-media thickness in adolescents: The HELENA study

Objective: To measure the carotid intima-media-thickness (cIMT) and to assess its determinant factors in healthy adolescents Methods: 319 adolescents aged 12.5-17.5 years (135 boys, 184 girls) were enrolled in this cross-sectional studycIMT and carotid diameter were measured by high-resolution B-mode ultrasoundAnthropometric parameters, blood pressure, physical activity (PA), aerobic fitness and dietary intakes were assessedSocioeconomic status was determined with the family affluence scale (FAS 4)Serum biological markers (lipids, glucose, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, soluble adhesion molecules) were measured in a subsample of 96 adolescents Results: Multiple regression analysis showed that cIMT was positively associated with truncal fat (p = 0.021) and negatively with FAS 4 (p = 0.002) independently of age and blood pressureThere were no significant associations between cIMT and PA, fitness and dietary intakesIn the subsample soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 was positively correlated with cIMT (p = 0.017), independently of truncal fat, age and blood pressure Conclusions: Low socioeconomic conditions and increased truncal fat are associated with greater carotid intima-media-thickness in adolescents. © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.Peer Reviewe