Screening for risk factors for chronic disease in children from fifteen countries

An international collaborative health screening project was undertaken to stimulate interest in child health education, to study feasibility of health screening in young children from diverse cultures, and to compare the distribution of chronic disease risk factors among 15 countries. Data for the 13-year-old participants showed that risk factors defined by cholesterol greater than 180 mg/dl, systolic blood pressure greater than 130 mm Hg, and daily or occasional smoking were present, to varying degrees, in children from each country. We found no relationship between obesity and cholesterol or blood pressure for these children. The acceptability of the screening, the children's enjoyment in participation, and the prevalence of risk factors at this young age lead to the conclusion that school-based health education programs should be initiated during childhood.