Resumen

SOLANO, Liseti et al. Vitamina A, C Y E en adolescentes venezolanos fumadores y no fumadores . An Venez Nutr [online]. 2001, vol.14, n.1, pp.20-26. ISSN 0798-0752.

In order to have a diagnosis and to establish a nutritional education program, smoking habit and antioxidants serum levels of 65 adolescents (33 non-smokers and 32 smokers) were evaluated. Assessment included weight, height, vitamins A and E by HPLC, vitamin C by colorimetry and usual pattern of food intake. 57.6% of non-smokers were male and 42,4% female, 75.8% of them were between 14 and 17 years old. 34% of smokers were male and 66% female, 84% was between 17,1 and 20 years. Vitamin A was significantly higher in smokers (t: 2,59, p: 0,01). Mean value for all was below antioxidant cutoff point (<80 g/dL). Vitamin C was significantly lower (t: -2,32; p: 0,02) in smokers and its level as antioxidant was normal (>0,9 g/mL) in both groups. There were not significant differences for alpha-tocopherol but mean was below antioxidant values in both. Vitamins A and E were deficient in almost all the adolescents (96,9% and 98,5% respectively) with no association to smoking (Chi2: 0,0004; p:0,98) (Chi2: 1,04; p:0,30).  A significantly higher proportion of smokers had vitamin C deficiency (Chi2: 9,50;  p: 0,002). Younger smokers had lower vitamin A levels (t:-2,25, p: 0,03), but there were not differences for other vitamins by age. There was no association between dietary intake and smoking, and a very high proportion of youngsters were at risk of deficient intake. It is to conclude that there is a high risk of vitamin deficiencies in these adolescents (due to smoking and low intake of antioxidants). An educational program is required to promote healthy habits.

Palabras clave : Smokers; adolescents; antioxidants; vitamin A; vitamin C; vitamin E.