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The Pre-Pandemic State of CVD Risk in Adolescents over a 6-year period

May 26, 2023 from 2:55pm EDT to 3:25pm EDT

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor development begins in childhood; prevention can occur with engaging in heart healthy behaviours. The Heart Healthy Schools Program (HHSP) data set from 2015-2020 was analyzed to describe the patterns of CVD risk in adolescent students from the general Niagara Region in Ontario, Canada. We examined the extent to which physical activity and nutritional behaviours, stratified by sex explains the differences in CVD risk. The HHSP survey was collected on 1,314 grade nine students and included family history of CVD, nutritional habits, physical activity, computer/phone/screen time and anthropometric measures. The average age was 13-14 years. Students rated their health as good, very good or excellent. Most (96%) agreed there is a connection between health and physical activity. Four out of five students (81%) were exercising at least 30 minutes per day in PE class and 26% were participating in mild physical activity at least 5 days per week out side of school. Most students engaged in at least one hour of sedentary behaviour per day (TV/Video/and Mobile devices). Eighty-three percent agreed that there is an important connection between food consumption and health. Despite this, skipping meals was commonly reported, especially among female students (p<0.001). Results indicate there is a disconnect in adolescents' perceptions that overall health is related to physical activity and regular food consumption yet does not align with students' behaviours. Cardiovascular nurses need to target heart health literacy and education for adolescents and focus on promotion of heart healthy behaviours to off set CVD risk factor development.

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