CARDIOVASCULAR RISK-FACTORS AMONG THIRD GRADE CHILDREN IN 4 REGIONS OF THE UNITED-STATES - THE CATCH STUDY

Data on cardiovascular risk factors (body mass index, triceps and subs capular skinfolds, blood pressure, serum total cholesterol, high densi ty lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B) were collected as part of the baseline examination (fall 1991) of the Child and Adol escent Trial for Cardiovascular Health, a multicenter school-based int ervention study for promoting healthful behaviors. A total of 5,106 th ird grade children (mean age, 8.76 years) in four states (California, Louisiana, Minnesota, and Texas) were examined. After excluding 194 ch ildren of other or unknown origin, the study population consisted of 3 ,530 Anglo-American children, 674 African-American children, and 708 L atino children. African-American children were the tallest by 1-3 cm ( p < 0.0001), while Latino children had the largest body mass index (p < 0.05). Blood pressure levels were similar for boys and girls and amo ng the three races, but systolic levels were 2 mmHg higher in Texas th an at the other sites. Serum total cholesterol levels were 5 mg/dl hig her in girls than in boys (p < 0.05), while HDL cholesterol levels wer e 2 mg/dl higher in boys (p < 0.05). HDL cholesterol levels were highe st in African-Americans (55.5 mg/dl) compared with Anglo-Americans (50 .7 mg/dl) and Latinos (51.3 mg/dl) (p < 0.0001).