This item is only available for download by members of the University of Illinois community. Students, faculty, and staff at the U of I may log in with your NetID and password to view the item. If you are trying to access an Illinois-restricted dissertation or thesis, you can request a copy through your library's Inter-Library Loan office or purchase a copy directly from ProQuest.
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/71060
Description
Title
Cardiovascular Risk Indicators Among Adolescents
Author(s)
Davami, Akbar
Issue Date
1983
Department of Study
Health and Safety Education
Discipline
Health and Safety Education
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Education, Health
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of a sample of adolescent students who are believed to be "at risk" of developing cardiovascular disease in later life. A related purpose was to determine the effectiveness of a health education intervention program (Know Your Body) as a means of modifying or reducing the "at risk" status of the students in this sample.
Selected clinical measures of health status, including (1) blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), (2) physical performance--resting, exercise pulse and time for one mile run, (3) triceps skinfold thickness, (4) weight, (5) height and (6) quetelet index were taken on approximately 900 9th grade students from Decatur, Illinois during the spring semester of the academic year 1981-1982. An operational definition for an "at risk" status was established for those students having two or more clinical measures equal to or exceeding the 75th percentile value for a student's age, sex and racial group. The analysis of the data included ANOVA, t test, and Pearson moment correlation.
Comparison with the national sample showed significant differences for many of the variables, particularly blood pressure. Analysis of the clinical measures showed that the proportion of students "at risk", according to the criteria, ranged from 31 to 45 percent among the various sub groupings by age, race and sex with the 15 year old white female group having the lowest and the 14 year old black male group having the highest proportion "at risk". There is a significant difference between different sexes and races for most of these variables under study. A positive relationship is found between different risk indicators in this study population. With respect to the intervention program, significant reductions were shown in systolic and diastolic blood pressures for white and black females and in diastolic blood pressures of white males.
This study demonstrates that the "at risk" criteria employed in the study can serve as an indicator of potential future health problems for this age group. Health education intervention can be translated into positive health benefits.
Use this login method if you
don't
have an
@illinois.edu
email address.
(Oops, I do have one)
IDEALS migrated to a new platform on June 23, 2022. If you created
your account prior to this date, you will have to reset your password
using the forgot-password link below.
