ETHNIC COMPARISONS OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK FACTORS AND HEALTH BEHAVIORS IN ADOLESCENTS: THE PATH PROGRAM.

Abstract

1147 One thousand two hundred ten urban adolescents (N=777 females, 433 males) mean age of 16 yrs. were evaluated to compare ethnic groups on health habits and risk factors for cardiovascular disease (RF). Self reported ethnicity: included 20% Asian (A), 40% Black (B), 25% Hispanic (H), and 15% White (W). Significant mean differences (P<0.05) were observed in the following physical measures and questionnaire data: resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure (Sp, Dp),% body fat (F), total cholesterol (C), physical activity(P), dietary habits (D), and heart health knowledge (K). Among females, significant differences were determined in C between B (163 mg/dl±31) and W (151 mg/dl±23) and B and H (154 mg/dl±23), Sp between B(112 mmHg±9) and A (109 mmHg±10), Dp between B (72 mmHg±7) and H (70 mmHg±7), P between H (5 x/wk±3) and W(4 x/wk±3), D between W (36 x/wk±16) and H (46 x/wk±24) and W and B (46 x/wk±20) and B and A (41 x/wk±21), and K between H (44%±16) and B (55%±18) and H and A (58%±18). Among males significant differences were determined in F between A (17%±6) and B (15%±5), H (19%±6) and W (16%±5) and H and B, and K between A (53%±19) and B (42%±18) and W (54%±16) and B. Ethnic groups were also evaluated for prevalence of elevated RF (C ≥ 200 mg/dl, Sp ≥ 130 mmHg, F ≥ 30% females, 20% males, and A ≤ 30min/wk). Chi square analysis among females revealed significantly higher prevalence of C in blacks and F in Hispanics. Hispanic males had a significantly greater prevalence of F and black males had a significantly greater prevalence of P. Females have a greater prevalence of RF than males. Results reveal that significant differences are more common among ethnic females than males. Black females have the highest mean values among ethnic groups in 4 of the 5 significant measures.