Design: Longitudinal

Population: The sample consisted of N = 85 participants from the longitudinal Cardiovascular Health in Children and youth study.

Methods: Mixed models were used to determine the slope and the intercept of BMI by time (age) while controlling for gender. The slope and intercept were then entered into a regression equation to predict waist circumference and levels of PAI-1.

Findings: The longitudinal analysis occurred at ages 8-22, slope and intercept of BMI (by age) were both significant predictors of waist circumference when controlled by gender (p < 0.05), slope (p < 0.001) and intercept (p<0.001). The slope of the BMI by time (age) controlled by gender was predictive of levels of PAI-1 (p < 0.018).

Conclusion: The longitudinal results indicate that participants who either started with a high BMI or increased their BMI rapidly over time developed a larger waist circumference at age 18-22. Likewise those participants who started with an elevated BMI developed higher levels of PAI-1 at age 18-22.

Implications: Enlarged waist circumference and elevated levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) are components of the metabolic syndrome thought to significantly increase cardiovascular risk. Likewise, having a high BMI has been associated with an increased risk for CVD. These results indicate the development of an early and high risk cardiovascular profile among the young adults within this sample. Assessments for obesity (e.g., measuring of BMI and/or waist circumference) and interventions to reduce obesity may need to begin as early as age 8. Primary care providers should graph both BMI and waist circumference from childhood through young adulthood to identify early trends toward obesity.

Back to Child/Adolescent Nursing
Back to 15th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
July 22-24, 2004