Abstract

PATH is an ongoing school-based program of health behavior and cardiovascular disease risk factor assessment and modification. The purpose of this study is to compare and evaluate gender differences. Subjects were Boys(N=447) and Girls (N=613) consisting of African-American (38%), Asian-American(20%), Hispanic (21%), White (11%), and Other (10%). Measurements included: percent body fat (%BF), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBp,DBp), cholesterol (Chol), estimated maximal oxygen uptake (VO2), heart health knowledge (HK), dietary habits (DH), and physical activity (P). Significant mean differences were noted between genders in the following areas: girls had a significantly higher%BF (30 ± 5 vs 17 ± 5) and Chol (160± 31 vs 146 ± 28) and boys had a greater SBp (117 ± 11 vs 111 ± 10) and VO2 (44 ± 8 vs 34 ± 4). Girls had better scores in HK (52% vs 48%) and DH, while boys scored better in P. A greater percentage of girls had hypercholesterolemia (12% vs 4%), physical inactivity(26% vs 15%) and obesity (47% vs 28%) compared to boys, whereas boys had a greater prevalence of hypertension (15% vs 5%). Results suggest there is a high prevalence of risk factors for CVD in multi-ethnic adolescents, especially among females. A school-based intervention/health promotion program is appropriate for this population.

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