Tracking of clustered cardiovascular disease risk factors from childhood to adolescence

Anna Bugge, Bianca El-Naaman, Robert G McMurray, Karsten Froberg, Lars Bo Andersen

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Background:Clustering of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors has been found in children as young as 9 y of age. However, the stability of this clustering over the course of childhood has yet to be determined. The purpose of this study was to determine the tracking of clustered CVD risk from young school age through adolescence and to examine differences in tracking between levels of overweight/obesity and cardiorespiratory fitness (VO 2peak).Methods:Beginning at 6 y, children (n = 434) were measured three times in 7 y. Anthropometrics, blood pressure, and VO 2peak were measured. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for CVD risk factors. A clustered risk score (z-score) was constructed by adding sex-specific z-scores for blood pressure, homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR), triglyceride (TG), skinfolds, and negative values of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) and VO 2peak.Results:Significant tracking coefficients were found between clustered z-score at all time intervals (r = 0.514, 0.559, and 0.381 between ages 6-9, 9-13, and 6-13 y, respectively, all P < 0.0001). Tracking was higher for low-fit children, whereas no clear pattern was found for different levels of body fat.Conclusion:We found that clustered z-score is a fairly stable characteristic through childhood. Implementation of preventive strategies could therefore start at early school age.

Original languageEnglish
JournalPediatric Research
Volume73
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)245-249
Number of pages5
ISSN0031-3998
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2013

Keywords

  • Adiposity
  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Biological Markers
  • Blood Pressure
  • Cardiovascular Diseases
  • Child
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Denmark
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Obesity
  • Odds Ratio
  • Overweight
  • Oxygen Consumption
  • Physical Fitness
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Skinfold Thickness

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