engleski

INCREASING OF RISKS FOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES IN SCHOOL CHILDREN

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze physical activity, eating habits, smoking, personal and family medical history among school children in order to recognize risk factors for development of CVD. Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a major cause of premature death and disability worldwide. The risk of CVD can be reduced quickly and substantially with successful preventive practices. Material and methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted on representative sample of 40 elementary and 20 high schools in Croatia. The study comprised 2869 children (46% girls) in 1st and 8th grade of elementary school and 3rd grade of high school. Children completed questionnaire and anthropometric measures were taken. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Analysis of eating habits among pupils of 8th grade showed that 23.4% of boys didn’t consume fruit and 43.3% of girls had less than 3 meals daily. Fast food consumption more than 3 times a week was reported by 32.9% of boys. 62.0% of boys trained in sport club. Physical activity with sweating less than three times a week was reported by 78.3% girls. Smoking was reported by 70% girls. CVD in own medical history was reported by 3.6% of boys. Hypertension was reported in family medical history by 34.9- 45.4% of pupils. TV-viewing more than 2 hours daily was reported by 19% of children in 1st grade. Alcohol consumption more than six times last month was reported by 5.3% of boys in 1st and 28.9% in 8th grade. All studied habits were worse among pupils in 3rd grade of high school. Conclusions: The results of these study showed that habits recognized risk for CVD from childhood to adolescence. Except family history, other recognized risks belong mostly to modifiable CVD risks factors that could be prevented or changed trough appropriate preventive programs.

cardiovascular risks; school children

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