Studia Kinanthropologica

Studia Kinanthropologica 2016, 17(3):411-420

Roadshow 2014 - Heart Full Of Health

M. Rafajdus^*, M. Kačmariková, M. Gapčová

Trnavská univerzita v Trnave, Fakulta zdravotníctva a sociálnej práce, Katedra verejného zdravotníctva

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are responsible for more than half of all deaths in Europe. Their occurrence appears increasingly in younger age groups. It is influenced by risk factors such as physical inactivity, overweight, obesity, hypercholesterolemia and so on. These factors accelerate formation and development of chronic diseases in the pediatric population and it means a serious public health problem as in our country also in the world. The aim of this study was to determine cholesterol level in blood among pupils in selected primary schools in Slovakia and compare by gender and region.

Methods: The sample consisted of 989 pupils from selected 25 regional primary schools. Data collection was provided in 2014 - 2015. Data were analyzed based on the investigations carried out under the project "Roadshow - Heart full of health". In statistical analysis of the data we used chi - square test of independence and Fisher exact test. The level of significance was p-value ≤ 0.05.

Results and conclusion: Higher cholesterol level was confirmed in pupils living in the towns compared to pupils living in cities and rural areas/villages. While cholesterol level comparison based on gender it was observed the increased level in girls at selected primary schools in the regions Lučenec 4.95 mmol / L, Orava 4.48 mmol / l, Stara Lubovna 4.34 mmol / l and in Prešov 4.31 mmol / l in most of Eastern Slovakia. We also found out a statistically significant difference between increased cholesterol level in the blood of girls at selected schools compared to boys.

Keywords: cardiovascular diseases; risk factors; nutrition; school age; prevention; project

Published: September 30, 2016  Show citation