Chronic Disease Risk Factors: 6th Grade Student Health Screenings Deanna Hanson, MSN RN, BC Beth Whitfield, BSN, RN, MAE Western Kentucky University Fall 2007

Purpose Obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and high blood cholesterol are all contributing factors to adult chronic diseases including heart disease, the leading cause of death in Kentucky. This preliminary quantitative study was designed to –(1) identify what chronic disease risk factors exist in the local 6th grade population and –(2) identify the need for future health interventions. by gathering baseline measurements/ screening labs on 6 th grade students.

What percentage of local children screened were overweight compared to state and national rates?

Research Questions and Results What percentage of the sample had a body fat level (BMI) that was borderline or high indicating a risk for obesity? –26.6% (2 borderline, 14 high, out of 60 screened) What percentage of the sample had elevated blood glucose indicating a risk for diabetes/impaired glucose tolerance? –1% (1 out of 73 screened)

What percentage of the sample had an elevated blood pressure reading indicating a risk for hypertension? –13.5% (3 borderline, 6 high, out of 59 screened) What percentage of the sample had abnormal cholesterol levels indicating a risk for coronary artery disease? –Total Cholesterol 31.5% (18 borderline, 5 high, out of 73 screened –HDL 19.2% (14 low out of 73 screened) –LDL 12.3% (6 borderline, 3 high, out of 73 screened) –Triglycerides 9.5% (7 high out of 73 screened)

Sample All of the 274 students in the 6 th grade at a South-Central Kentucky school were given the opportunity to participate at no charge. Consent forms were mailed to parents. Students who returned a signed consent form received instruction on the study and assents forms were completed. Students returning a signed consent form, whether participating or opting out, also received a pedometer compliments of the WKU Mobile Health Unit. A total of 73 children participated in the finger-stick screening for a participation rate of 26.6%.

Procedure Height, weight, and blood pressure measurements were noted from the child’s 6th grade physical form. Body Fat was measured as Body Mass Index and was calculated using the height and weight measurements. Random blood sugar and cholesterol screening labs were completed at the school by WKU Mobile Health Unit Staff and WKU BSN Nursing Students. Results were mailed to parents/guardians and they were encouraged to share the results with their primary care provider.

Conclusions and Implications These screenings helped determine the health status of the participating children. The results indicated risk factors for chronic disease do exist in this population. Results may encourage the planning of health interventions for students and families. The need for interventions is indicated. Early intervention could lessen the risk of future health problems. Future planning may include development of health questionnaires to gain more information and repeat measurements of labs to measure improvement. Nursing students benefited from this opportunity by getting to interact with the children, perform Nursing skills, and assess the data. The 6 th graders benefited by learning about chronic diseases, receiving free screening labs, and getting a positive exposure to the field of Nursing. One unanticipated benefit to the children observed during the screenings was an observed increase in their self-esteem and a sense of empowerment related to their own health.

Statistics In 2005 the percentage of Kentucky children who were overweight was 20.6% –U.S. Department of Health & Human Services In the national percentage of children aged 6 –11 years who were overweight was 18.8%. For children aged 12–19 years the rate was 17.4%. –Centers for Disease Control and Prevention A University of Michigan group found that one-fourth of the school children it tests have elevated cholesterol levels (2007). –The New York Times Poor nutrition and physical inactivity are increasing Americans’ risk for developing major diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer. – National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

A joint project by WKU School of Nursing & WKU Institute for Rural Health