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Cardiovascular risk factors in Hispanic, white, and black children: the Brooks County and Bogalusa Heart studies
L S Webber1, D W Harsha, G T Phillips
1Department of Biometry and Genetics, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans 70112-2822.
Insights
Hispanic children in Texas showed distinct cardiovascular risk factors compared to white and black children in Louisiana. Further study is needed to understand and address these unique health profiles.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors
- Ethnic Health Disparities
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in childhood are critical predictors of adult health.
- Understanding ethnic variations in CVD risk factors is essential for targeted public health interventions.
- Previous research has highlighted potential health differences among Hispanic populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare cardiovascular disease risk factors in Hispanic children with those in white and black children.
- To identify specific physiological and biochemical markers associated with CVD risk in a Hispanic pediatric cohort.
- To inform culturally sensitive health education and intervention strategies for Hispanic children.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study conducted in 1984-1985 in Brooks County, Texas (Hispanic children) and Bogalusa, Louisiana (white and black children).
- Standardized protocols and a single, CDC-standardized laboratory were used for all analyses.
- Measurements included height, weight, subscapular skinfolds, blood pressure, total cholesterol, and lipoprotein levels.
Main Results:
- Hispanic children were shorter but had similar weight and thicker subscapular skinfolds compared to white and black children.
- Blood pressure levels showed minimal ethnic variation.
- Total cholesterol was highest in black children; all groups showed a pubertal drop in cholesterol, occurring earlier in Hispanic children. Lipoprotein levels were generally similar between Hispanic and white children.
Conclusions:
- Hispanic children exhibit unique body composition and lipid profiles that warrant further investigation regarding cardiovascular disease risk.
- Differences in body size partially explained some lipid and lipoprotein variations between Hispanic and black children.
- Culturally tailored interventions are necessary to address the increased risk of diseases like diabetes in the Hispanic population.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular disease risk factors were studied in Hispanic children in Brooks County, Texas, and in white and black children in Bogalusa, Louisiana, in 1984-1985. The same protocols were used at both sites; examiners in Brooks County were trained by Bogalusa Heart Study staff. All blood samples were analyzed in a single laboratory standardized by the Centers for Disease Control. Hispanic children were about 4 cm shorter and were about the same weight as white and black children. Subscapular skinfolds were thickest in Hispanic children. Little difference was noted for blood pressure levels in the three ethnic groups. Total cholesterol levels were highest in black children, with a drop during puberty being noted in all of the ethnic groups. This drop with puberty appeared somewhat earlier in the Hispanic children. Lipoprotein levels for Hispanic children were, in general, similar to those noted for white children. Some of the Hispanic-black differences in lipid and lipoprotein levels could be explained by differences in body size. Because Hispanics are at increased risk for specific diseases, such as diabetes, increased study of this population is warranted. Intervention and education programs aimed at altering this risk must address the unique cultural heritage of this population.