Adolescent health status, behaviors and cardiovascular disease

This study tracked levels of risk indicators over a four-year period in 356 matched high school students in central Illinois. Selected clinical measures of health status (height, weight, triceps skinfold thickness, body mass index, blood pressure and pulse) and self-reported behavior were assessed. From these measures, subjects were identified as potentially at risk if their scores equaled or exceeded the 75th percentile for their age, sex, and race. Results indicated that 54% of this at-risk group also had negative health behaviors (smoking, physical inactivity, high salt, red meat and fat consumption, and alcohol intake). Some of these behaviors demonstrated strong, positive correlations with health status as shown by chi-square, t test, analysis of covariance, and Pearson product-moment correlation statistics. Thus, those students warranting preventive intervention and referral follow-up programs before adulthood were identified.