Cardiovascular health behaviour, acrylamide exposure and health risk assessment of adolescents.

Background: The presence of acrylamide at different levels in many foods in our daily diet is a very alarming situation for public health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acrylamide exposure of adolescents resulting from the consumption of French fries in terms of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks and to reveal its relationship with heart health.

Methods: This study was conducted on adolescents aged 13-15 years living in Türkiye. Firstly, a scale with tested reliability was used to determine the heart health behaviours of adolescents. Then, the acrylamide exposure levels were determined according to the deterministic model by taking the french fries consumption data of the adolescents for a retrospective 24-hour period. Acrylamide exposure level was then evaluated in terms of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks. Statistical differences between the groups were analysed by independent t test, Mann Whitney U test, Welch Test and Kruskal Wallis Test. Spearman's rho correlation coefficient was used to determine the degree of non-causal relationships.

Results: All adolescents showed normal cardiovascular behaviour (63 ± 11). The acrylamide exposure level of all adolescents from French fries consumption ranged between 0-2.60 µg/kg/day. The mean THQ (Target Hazard Quotient) value for all adolescents was 0.11 ± 0.27 and the mean CR (Carcinogenic risk) value was 1.10E-05 ± 2.69E-04. Since the THQ value was lower than the reference value, the consumption of French fries was considered safe for adolescents. However, the CR value indicates the presence of potential carcinogenic health risks. There was no statistical difference between the acrylamide exposure level, THQ and CR values according to the cardiovascular behaviour scores of adolescents, whereas a statistical difference was found only between the BMI (body mass index) subcategories.

Conclusion: The acrylamide exposure level calculated for adolescents is relatively high compared to other studies in the literature. Carcinogenic health risks associated with the consumption of French fries have been identified. It is thought that the results of the study will contribute to the studies and strategies to be developed to reduce dietary acrylamide exposure.