Design and Objectives of the South American Youth/Child cARdiovascular and Environmental (SAYCARE) Study

Abstract

This observational multicenter feasibility study, titled South American Youth/Child cARdiovascular and Environmental Study (acronym: SAYCARE Study), was held in seven South American cities: Buenos Aires (Argentina), Lima (Peru), Medellin (Colombia), Montevideo (Uruguay), Santiago (Chile), Sao Paulo and Teresina (Brazil). Children and adolescents (3 to 18 years) were studied. The data management systems, quality assurance monitoring activities, standardized operating procedure manuals, and training and study management are addressed in this paper. Various quality controls to ensure the collection of valid and reliable data are also discussed. Data were obtained from 237 preschool and school children and 258 adolescents during the validation phase measurements. The results of the SAYCARE study are expected to provide higher accuracy of the assessment of cardiovascular disease risk factors, including eating behaviors, body composition, physical activity, sedentary behaviors, lipid profiles and cardiovascular health biomarkers, oral health, social conditions, environmental factors and home environment, and of their determinants in children and adolescents from ages 3-17 in seven South American cities. The aim of this paper is to describe the design and the objective of the SAYCARE study and to present the characteristics of the validation phase. (AU)