Dissertations and Theses @ UNI
Availability
Open Access Thesis
Keywords
Blood cholesterol; Children--Health and hygiene; Heart--Diseases--Genetic aspects;
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of elevated blood cholesterol levels of fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students in four schools in Cedar Falls, Iowa and to determine the relationship between total cholesterol level and family history of cardiovascular disease in this population. A total of 645 students were invited to participate in the blood cholesterol screening research project. Of this target population, 215 children whose parents gave consent for their participation became subjects for the research project. A cardiovascular family health questionnaire was sent home with each student which was completed by the parents of the participating students. The questionnaire was designed to identify certain cardiovascular diseases in the child's family. A screening for total cholesterol levels was then conducted at the four participating schools. Only the children that returned the cardiovascular questionnaire, the informed consent, and the $2.00 fee for the blood analysis were allowed to participate. Blood samples were obtained via finger stick method and evaluated by the Kodak Ektachem DT60 analyzer. A total of 79 children (36.74%) had a cholesterol level of 176 mg/dl or above. Forty-two percent of the children who had levels at 176 mg/dl or above did not have a positive familial cardiovascular disease history. A chi-square test was used to compare the frequency of reported familial cardiovascular disease in those with cholesterol levels 176 mg/dl or greater and revealed that there was no association between elevated cholesterol levels and history of familial cardiovascular disease for the study sample. A point-biserial correlation coefficient also revealed that there was no relationship between cholesterol levels and the presence of familial cardiovascular disease.
Year of Submission
1991
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
School of Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Services
First Advisor
Larry Hensley
Second Advisor
Jane Richards
Third Advisor
Bill Ryan
Date Original
1991
Object Description
1 PDF file (121 leaves)
Copyright
©1991 Nancy C. Fauser
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Fauser, Nancy C., "The Incidence of Elevated Total Cholesterol Levels in Elementary School Aged Children in the Absence of Familial Cardiovascular Disease" (1991). Dissertations and Theses @ UNI. 1879.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/etd/1879
Comments
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