| Summary: |
The recognition of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) as a problem in children has grown in recent years. Atherosclerotic lesions, subclinical states of some CVD, have already been described in youth (1, 2). Cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) as hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and low levels of cardio-respiratory fitness (CRF) and physical activity (PA) have been reported in adolescents (3, 4). The CVRF tend to aggregate and maintain their levels of childhood until adulthood, increasing future
risk of CVD (5-7).
In young people, reduced values of CRF align themselves with the clustering of CVRF (8). The relationship between volumes and the intensities of PA and CRF levels on the prevalence and clustering of CVRF have not yet been completely clarified (9).
The need to develop and implement strategies for primary prevention of CVD in early ages is an established consensus (13).
Assuming that inadequate levels of PA and suitable diets would influence the CRF, the body fat and, therefore, the metabolic profile, it seems prudent to intervene on sedentary behaviours and unhealthy habits to improve cardiovascular health from an early age (14).
This study aims to assess nutritional knowledge and dietary habits of physical activity in a cohort of adolescents before and after an intervention program of nutritional food education and physical activity. Will be examined differences in results between subsamples: active and non-active and obese not obese and assets not active members. Studies involving both the two major determinants of health in these ages: food and exercise are fundamental to the establishment of effective health policies and reasoned.
Thus, the project aims are: (1) validation of Nutritional Knowledge Quiz for young people (NKQ) (2) explore the associations between CRF, PA and food knowledge; and (3) evaluating the effects of an intervention program me (IP) based at school and on the internet, involving the promotion of PA an  |
Summary
The recognition of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) as a problem in children has grown in recent years. Atherosclerotic lesions, subclinical states of some CVD, have already been described in youth (1, 2). Cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) as hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and low levels of cardio-respiratory fitness (CRF) and physical activity (PA) have been reported in adolescents (3, 4). The CVRF tend to aggregate and maintain their levels of childhood until adulthood, increasing future
risk of CVD (5-7).
In young people, reduced values of CRF align themselves with the clustering of CVRF (8). The relationship between volumes and the intensities of PA and CRF levels on the prevalence and clustering of CVRF have not yet been completely clarified (9).
The need to develop and implement strategies for primary prevention of CVD in early ages is an established consensus (13).
Assuming that inadequate levels of PA and suitable diets would influence the CRF, the body fat and, therefore, the metabolic profile, it seems prudent to intervene on sedentary behaviours and unhealthy habits to improve cardiovascular health from an early age (14).
This study aims to assess nutritional knowledge and dietary habits of physical activity in a cohort of adolescents before and after an intervention program of nutritional food education and physical activity. Will be examined differences in results between subsamples: active and non-active and obese not obese and assets not active members. Studies involving both the two major determinants of health in these ages: food and exercise are fundamental to the establishment of effective health policies and reasoned.
Thus, the project aims are: (1) validation of Nutritional Knowledge Quiz for young people (NKQ) (2) explore the associations between CRF, PA and food knowledge; and (3) evaluating the effects of an intervention program me (IP) based at school and on the internet, involving the promotion of PA and healthy nutrition behaviours relating to PA and to nutrition, about the levels of PA and CRF.
For these purposes, the CRF will be estimated by using the equations developed for this purpose. PA will be measured by accelerometers and food habits and knowledge through food skills questionnaire (Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire).
The IP will be a experimental study based at school and on the internet for promoting healthy behaviours related to AF and the healthy nutritional choices, supported by theories of behavioural change. Will be developed during 9 months involving students, parents, teachers and school departments in curricular and extracurricular activities.
The sample for this research consists of 1000 children and adolescents aged 12 - 18 years from the District of Porto (500- intervention school; 500 control school). |