Inadequate Diet and Lack of Physical Exercise as Cardiovascular Risk Factors in School Children and Adolescents

Dobre preventivne programe moguće je provoditi ako postoje valjani podaci o učestalosti i proširenosti čimbenika rizika od srčanožilnih bolesti u dječjoj i adolescentnoj dobi. U Hrvatskoj je provedeno istraživanje na reprezentativnom uzorku od tri kohorte učenika, prvi i osmi razred osnovne škole i treći razred srednje škole, o životnim navikama, osobnim i obiteljskim rizicima od srčanožilnih bolesti i antropometrijskim mjerenjima. Istraživanjem je obuhvaćeno 2.869 učenika, 960 prvih i 965 osmih razreda osnovne škole te 944 trećih razreda srednje. Rezultati pokazuju da se s dobi povećava broj čimbenika rizika od srčanožilnih bolesti, kao što su: svakodnevno puši cigarette 24,0% mladića i 28,5% djevojaka srednjoškolaca, indeks tjelesne mase veći od 30 kg/m2 ima 4,2% mladića i 1,3% djevojaka u srednjoj školi. Sistolički krvni tlak jednak ili viši od 130 mmHg i/ili dijastolički jednak ili viši od 85 mmHg ima 35,9% mladića i 13,8% djevojaka srednjoškolaca. Sve navedene čimbenike rizika moguće je prepoznati preventivnim pregledima u ranijoj školskoj dobi. Preventivne aktivnosti, koje bi uključivale djecu i njihove obitelji, ali i širu zajednicu, ponajprije bi trebale biti usmjerene na pravilnu prehranu, povećanje tjelesne aktivnosti i smanjenje pušenja duhana.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