Physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption fall below national guidelines for adolescents. Disease sequelae, including overweight/obesity and diabetes are on the rise. Intervention strategies targeting at-risk populations may reduce these co-morbid conditions. We designed and implemented a school-based program to evaluate and educate ethnic minority adolescents about nutrition and physical activity. Sixth-grade students from a randomly assigned Los Angeles middle school were recruited for a 10-week nutrition and physical activity program to supplement their physical education class. Baseline data, including height, weight, blood pressure, one-mile run/walk time, non-fasting serum cholesterol and glycosylated hemoglobin levels, were collected. In this baseline sample (n=128), the mean age of the students was 10.55 years; 50% were African-American, and 50% were Latino; 57% were female and 43% male. Using BMI for students who were weighed and measured (n=122), 24.6% (n=30) were overweight for age and 27.0%(n=33) were obese for age; 49.2% (n=30) of African-Americans, and 54.1% (n=33) of Latinos were overweight or obese for age. Serum cholesterol levels were elevated among 46% of the students. Regression analysis of systolic blood pressure and BMI showed a positive coefficient of determination (r2=.306). Ethnic minority students 10-12 years of age are beginning to manifest health complications associated with physical inactivity and poor eating habits. Policy decisions regarding chronic disease prevention should include younger, at-risk populations.
Learning Objectives: 1. Identify early manifestations of chronic diseases exhibited by a sample of ethnic minority sixth-grade students. 2. Describe the relationship between hypertension and obesity in this sample of students.
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Hypertension
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.