Introduction:

The exploration and identification of the contextual factors of the atherosclerotic process from an early age present a knowledge gap in terms of mechanisms and causes. In primary health care, there are the conditions required for the identification of adolescents with atherogenic risk factors and in which it is easier to understand the context of the disease.

Objective:

Determine the influence of contextual factors on the presence of early atherosclerotic signals in apparently healthy adolescents.

Methods:

Descriptive cross-sectional study. Descriptive statistics were used. Analysis of canonical correlations was applied and decision trees were elaborated.

Results:

The atherosclerotic risk factors that predominated for both sexes were low consumption of fruits and vegetables, waist circumference > 90 p and being a passive smoker. In the female sex, a sedentary lifestyle stands out. In both sexes, adolescents with two or three signs predominated (male 77 [48.4%] and female 71 [48.0%]). The set of contextual factors explains up to 33% of the variability in early atherosclerotic signals. The classification tree showed a higher frequency of adolescents with early atherosclerotic signals for the perception of the regular or bad economic situation and for the higher educational level of basic secondary school.

Conclusions:

Contextual factors influence the presence of early atherosclerotic signals in apparently healthy adolescents, but partially explain their variabilities.