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Chronic Disease Risk Factors: 6th Grade Student Health Screenings

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.

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Chronic Disease Risk Factors: 6th Grade Student Health Screenings

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  1. Chronic Disease Risk Factors: 6th Grade Student Health Screenings Deanna Hanson, MSN RN, BC Beth Whitfield, BSN, RN, MAE Western Kentucky University Fall 2007

  2. 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.

  3. What percentage of local children screened were overweight compared to state and national rates?

  4. 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) Research Questions and Results

  5. What percentage of the sample had an elevated bloodpressure 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)

  6. 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%.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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

  10. A joint project by WKU School of Nursing & WKU Institute for Rural Health

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