Association of the home environment with cardiovascular and metabolic biomarkers in youth

Objective: To examine the relationship between the home environment and biomarkers associated with the cardiovascular and metabolic risks in adolescents. Methods: Three hundred fifty-eight adolescents (185 males and 173 females) living in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, Minnesota, between the ages of 10-17 years agreed to participate. Data were collected from August 2006 through March 2008. A fasting blood sample was drawn and assayed for insulin, glucose and lipids. Resting blood pressure, percent body fat (PBF) and body mass index were also measured. The home environment was assessed using a self-report of physical activity (PA) and media inventory (PAMI) completed by the parents. Density of PA and media equipment was calculated by summing the number of items present in the home and dividing by the total number of locations in the home. PA and screen media density were modeled as independent variables. Results: Our results found that the density of PA equipment was negatively associated with insulin levels, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol, insulin resistance, and PBF. Media density was positively associated with insulin, LDL, total cholesterol, and PBF. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the home environment is associated with metabolic and cardiovascular health in adolescents.