The objective of the study was to evaluate early signs of cardiovascular metabolic risk among school-going adolescents in Dharwad.
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A preliminary study taken up by the State-run Karnataka Medical College and Research Institute (KMCRI), Hubballi, has revealed that a majority of adolescents — particularly overweight students included in the study — had biochemical profiles indicative of increased risk of adverse cardiac events.
In February 2025, the Multi-Disciplinary Research Unit (MDRU) of KMCRI took up the study among adolescents in the wake of recent trends suggesting a shift with risk factors manifesting early in life, although Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) are often considered ailments of adulthood.
The objective of the study was to evaluate early signs of cardiovascular metabolic risk among school-going adolescents in Dharwad. The team of researchers chose 30 asymptomatic, overweight students from class VIII and IX drawn from six schools both in urban and rural areas of the district. The children were screened for early biochemical and clinical indicators associated with cardiovascular risk.
Alarming findings
Although the sample size was small, the findings were quite alarming for the team led by MDRU nodal officer Ram Kaulgud and co-investigator Manjunath Nekar. During the one-month study, along with taking blood samples, the team members collected details on the students’ lifestyle, routine activities, screentime, food habits and other related aspects.
Of the 30 students screened, one was found to be diabetic and four were diagnosed with hypertension. The screening also revealed Lipid Profile abnormalities among the students. The study found elevated total cholesterol in five students, elevated triglyceride levels in 11 students with one having critically high value of 499 mg/dL. This apart, LDL cholesterol was elevated in five students.
Cardiac risk
The study revealed that ‘Homocysteine’ levels were elevated in 26 out of the 30 students, indicating an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. It found elevated Lipoprotein (a) in four students. It also revealed that ‘high sensitivity C-reactive Protein’ (hsCRP) , a marker of inflammation and cardiac risk was significantly elevated in 18 students, suggesting that over 80% of the participants had biochemical profiles indicative of increased risk of adverse cardiac events.
The preliminary study has concluded that there is an alarming prevalence of subclinical cardiac risk factors among adolescents even in the absence of overt symptoms and it has highlighted the need for urgent public health interventions, lifestyle modifications and routine cardiac risk screening in school health programmes.
To rope in other MRUs
Now after the preliminary study, KMCRI wants to go for a larger sample study in coordination with other MRUs of medical colleges and hospitals.
“We have received appreciation by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) for this preliminary study and the premier medical research organisation has advised us to continue it further. Accordingly, we are planning to conduct a larger sample study in coordination with other MRUs and based on the findings, we will submit a report to the government,” Director of KMCRI Dr. S.F. Kammar told The Hindu.
Published – June 29, 2025 12:12 pm IST
