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Published on: April 29, 2013
Predictive parameters of cardiovascular risk in younger school-age children
Zlatana Sulinová1, Erik Dorko1, Kvetoslava Rimárová1
1Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Kosice, Slovak Republic.
Insights
Childhood obesity significantly impacts systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in Slovakian children. Poor physical fitness is linked to elevated blood pressure and cholesterol levels, underscoring the need for monitoring cardiovascular risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Cardiovascular Risk Factors
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing global health concern linked to urbanization and lifestyle changes.
- Excessive fat accumulation in children poses significant health risks.
- Effective public health strategies are crucial for preventing chronic diseases and promoting child wellbeing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To monitor the impact of risk factors on blood pressure and lipid profiles in school-age children.
- To investigate the relationship between obesity, fitness levels, and cardiovascular parameters.
Main Methods:
- 267 Slovakian school-age children participated.
- Blood pressure (SBP, DBP), pulse rate, and anthropometric measurements (BMI, fat skinfolds) were assessed.
- Parental questionnaires and statistical analysis (IBM-SPSS) were utilized.
Main Results:
- Obese and overweight children exhibited significantly higher SBP compared to non-obese and normal-weight peers (p < 0.001).
- Children with poor physical fitness showed significantly elevated SBP (p < 0.01), DBP (p < 0.001), and total cholesterol (p < 0.05).
- No significant differences in DBP or total cholesterol were found between obese/non-obese and normal-weight/overweight groups.
Conclusions:
- Monitoring risk factors is essential for understanding cardiovascular health in children.
- Obesity and poor fitness are significant predictors of adverse cardiovascular outcomes in pediatric populations.
Objectives:
Overweight and obesity are important concerns for global health. They are characterized by excessive fat accumulation that can harm health. Childhood obesity has reached alarming levels around the world due to urbanization and changes in lifestyle. This trend highlights an urgent need for effective public health strategies to promote healthier lifestyles, prevent chronic diseases, and support the wellbeing of future generations. This study aimed to monitor the impact of the risk factors on blood pressure and lipid profile parameters.
Methods:
Data were collected from 267 school-age children from Slovakia. The study assessed blood pressure using the sphygmomanometer technique, where systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure were measured in a seated position and repeated three times. The pulse rate was evaluated using Ruffier's physical fitness test. Anthropometric measurements included body weight, height, waist circumference, hip, and chest circumference, body mass index (BMI), and fat skinfolds measurement. The children's parents completed a comprehensive questionnaire. The data were statistically evaluated using IBM-SPSS version 19.
Results:
Our analysis showed a statistically significant difference in SBP between obese and non-obese children (p < 0.001), but no significant differences for DBP and total cholesterol. Similar results were found between normal-weight and overweight children for SBP (p < 0.001), with overweight children showing higher SBP. No significant differences were noted for DBP or total cholesterol. Among children with "bad fitness", 57.9% had elevated SBP, compared to 37.86% with "good fitness" (p < 0.01). Additionally, 41.67% of children with bad fitness had elevated DBP, versus 23.05% in good fitness (p < 0.001). Significant differences in total cholesterol were also observed in these two groups (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
The results of this study confirm the importance of monitoring risk factors that significantly influence cardiovascular parameters.
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