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 6th 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 6th 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 6th 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 2003-2004 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