title: A study of cardiovascular risk factors and its knowledge among school children of Delhi.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Data on the knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors among Indian school children are limited. Aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and its knowledge among school children of Delhi.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a cross-sectional survey among 485 school children studying in classes 6, 7 and 8 in two government and one private school in New Delhi using convenience sampling. Cardiovascular risk factors (physical activity, diet and smoking), knowledge about risk factors and family profile were assessed using a structured self report questionnaire. Weight, height and blood pressure measurements were taken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the studied school children was 12.8 ± 1.6 years. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 9.5% and 11.5% respectively. The prevalence of prehypertension, stage 1 hypertension and stage 2 hypertension was 12.4%, 6.8% and 1.4% respectively. Of the total, 43.8% were physically active for at least 1 hour per day on all 7 days of the previous week. Daily consumption of fruits and vegetables was reported by 42% and 76% of the school children respectively. Nearly 5% of the school children reported to have used any form of tobacco. One fifth of the school children had a family history of cardiovascular disease. Of the total, 25.4% had adequate knowledge regarding cardiovascular risk factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cardiovascular risk factors are highly prevalent among school children. Importantly, school children lack adequate knowledge regarding cardiovascular risk factors. School based interventions are required for cardiovascular risk reduction in childhood.
authors: Postgraduate Student, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors: Grace Mary
authors: GM
authors: George
authors: Lecturer, College of Nursing, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India. Electronic address: kamlesh_con@yahoo.co.in.
authors: Kamlesh Kumari
authors: KK
authors: Sharma
authors: Associate Professor, Department of Cardiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors: Sivasubramaniam
authors: S
authors: Ramakrishnan
authors: Professor, Centre for Community Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors: Sanjeev Kumar
authors: SK
authors: Gupta
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014505:Urban Population
keywords: Cardiovascular risk factors; Delhi; Knowledge; School children