053 Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Health Behaviours in Youth

Abstract

BackgroundMarkers of lower socioeconomic status (SES) in childhood have been linked with higher rates of obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We sought to determine whether the relationship between CVD risk and SES in youth is mediated by differences in health behaviours. We also sought to determine whether the relationship between CVD risk and health behaviours is affected by different measures of SES.MethodsCross-sectional data for CVD risk factors and health behaviours were collected from universal screening of grade9 students from the Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada for the 2009/10 school year. Data were matched at an individual level by postal code with SES measures from the 2006 Census Canada data including household income, home ownership, and highest educational degree.ResultsN = 4104 students aged 14 to 15 years. Were included. Average household income was $62,680 (± 19 275), and 82% (± 19) were home-owners. The proportions that completed high school or university were 86% (± 8) and 17% (± 11), respectively. Higher body mass index z-score and hypercholesterolemia were associated with lower income and education. Elevated blood pressure was significantly associated with lower income. Items related to sedentary lifestyle, poorer nutrition, and smoking were significantly associated with all markers of lower SES.ConclusionTabled 1 BackgroundMarkers of lower socioeconomic status (SES) in childhood have been linked with higher rates of obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We sought to determine whether the relationship between CVD risk and SES in youth is mediated by differences in health behaviours. We also sought to determine whether the relationship between CVD risk and health behaviours is affected by different measures of SES. Markers of lower socioeconomic status (SES) in childhood have been linked with higher rates of obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We sought to determine whether the relationship between CVD risk and SES in youth is mediated by differences in health behaviours. We also sought to determine whether the relationship between CVD risk and health behaviours is affected by different measures of SES. MethodsCross-sectional data for CVD risk factors and health behaviours were collected from universal screening of grade9 students from the Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada for the 2009/10 school year. Data were matched at an individual level by postal code with SES measures from the 2006 Census Canada data including household income, home ownership, and highest educational degree. Cross-sectional data for CVD risk factors and health behaviours were collected from universal screening of grade9 students from the Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada for the 2009/10 school year. Data were matched at an individual level by postal code with SES measures from the 2006 Census Canada data including household income, home ownership, and highest educational degree. ResultsN = 4104 students aged 14 to 15 years. Were included. Average household income was $62,680 (± 19 275), and 82% (± 19) were home-owners. The proportions that completed high school or university were 86% (± 8) and 17% (± 11), respectively. Higher body mass index z-score and hypercholesterolemia were associated with lower income and education. Elevated blood pressure was significantly associated with lower income. Items related to sedentary lifestyle, poorer nutrition, and smoking were significantly associated with all markers of lower SES. N = 4104 students aged 14 to 15 years. Were included. Average household income was $62,680 (± 19 275), and 82% (± 19) were home-owners. The proportions that completed high school or university were 86% (± 8) and 17% (± 11), respectively. Higher body mass index z-score and hypercholesterolemia were associated with lower income and education. Elevated blood pressure was significantly associated with lower income. Items related to sedentary lifestyle, poorer nutrition, and smoking were significantly associated with all markers of lower SES. ConclusionTabled 1