Abstract
Northern Ireland (NI) lies at the top of the world mortality league for Adult Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). We have evaluated coronary risk factor status in a random stratified sample of 1015 school children, comprising 251 12-year-old boys, 258 12-year-old girls, 252 15-year-old boys and 254 15-year old girls. The protocol included a physical examination, fitness testing and dietary analysis. Blood samples were obtained from 1012 children for serum total cholesterol determination. The overall response rate was 76 % with a parental questionnaire return rate of 93 % in responders. The prevalence of obesity was 9.6 %, 10.4 %, 12.3 % and 29.5% in boys and girls, aged 12 years and 15 years respectively. The corresponding cholesterol levels were 4.6 mmol/l, 4.7 mmol/l, 4.2 mmol/l and 4.6 mmol/l. No significant relationship was identified between total cholesterol and family history of premature coronary heart disease. These results indicate a high prevalence of obesity particularly in 15-year-old girls and unfavourable cholesterol levels in all 4 age-sex groups.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Primrose, E., Savage, J., Boreham, C. et al. 87 Coronary Risk Factors in Schoolchildren: Preliminary Findings of the Northern Ireland Young Heart's Project. Pediatr Res 30, 642 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199112000-00117
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199112000-00117