Avaliação do perfil nutricional e oxidativo inflamatório em adolescentes de 14 a 18 anos

Abstract

Adolescent obesity represents a growing global public health challenge, associated with an increased risk of early development of cardiometabolic disorders, low-grade chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress. Therefore, the interaction between the purinergic system and inflammatory processes in obesity has emerged as a relevant area of scientific interest. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of adolescents aged 14 to 18 years and its association with body mass index (BMI) and oxidative, biochemical, and purinergic markers. This quantitative, analytical, observational, comparative, and cross-sectional study was conducted between 2025 and 2026 in public schools in Chapecó, Santa Catarina, Brazil. The final sample comprised 54 adolescents of both sexes, divided into two groups: eutrophic BMI (n= 30) and altered BMI (n= 24). Among participants with altered BMI, 75% were overweight, 25% were obese, and 46% presented some degree of cardiovascular risk. Biochemical markers (fasting glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and albumin) and systemic oxidative damage markers (ROS, TBARS, PSH, and vitamin C) remained within normal physiological ranges in both groups. However, the altered BMI group showed a statistically significant elevation in the inflammatory enzyme Myeloperoxidase (MPO; p = 0.0004) and a reduction in ADP hydrolysis activity within the purinergic system (p = 0.0066) compared to the eutrophic group. In conclusion, excess adiposity in adolescence early activates inflammatory pathways and deregulates purinergic enzymatic mechanisms, highlighting the importance of timely nutritional and lifestyle interventions to prevent cardiometabolic complications.