Medicus, Vol. 19 No. 1_Adolescencija_2, 2010.
Review article
Inadequate Diet and Lack of Physical Exercise as Cardiovascular Risk Factors in School Children and Adolescents
Vesna Jureša1
; ŠNZ Andrija Štampar
Vera Musil
; ŠNZ Andrija Štampar
Marjeta Majer
; ŠNZ Andrija Štampar
Davor Petrović
; KBC Zagreb
Abstract
The availability of valid data on the frequency and spread of cardiovascular risk factors in childhood and adolescence is the prerequisite for implementation of good preventive measures. In Croatia, a study was conducted on a representative sample of three cohorts of first- and eighth-grade primary school students and third-grade high school students. The study covered their habits, personal and family risks for cardiovascular diseases and anthropometric measurements. It included 2,869 students, of whom 960 first-grade and 965 eighth-grade primary school students and 944 third-grade high school students. The results show that the number of risk factors increases with age, for instance: 24.0% of male students and 28.5% of female high school students smoke on a daily basis, 4.2% of male students and 1.3% of female high school students have a body mass index higher than 30 kg/m2. Systolic blood pressure equal to or higher than 130 mmHg and/or diastolic pressure equal to or higher than 85 mmHg has been reported in 35.9% male and 13.8% female high school students. All these risk factors may be recognized through preventive examinations at the early stage of schooling. Preventive activities, which would cover children and their families, as well as the wider community, should primarily focus on adequate diet, increased physical exercise and reduced smoking.
Keywords
school age; preventive check-up; risk factors; cardiovascular diseases
Hrčak ID:
60096
URI
Publication date:
15.6.2010.
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