Tracking of cardiovascular risk factors among school children: a four-year population surveillance in Susa, Tunisia

In order to confirm the phenomenon of tracking of cardiovascular risk factors among school children, we undertook in 2003, a prospective survey of a population of 789 pupils aged 13 to 15 years who had participated in a first investigation on cardiovascular risk factors in 1999. We were able to follow and study 453 pupils (57.4% of the initial population). Prevalences of hypertension and obesity were respectively 11.3% and 6.1% without significant difference between sexes. On the other hand, hypercholesterolemia was significantly more elevated among girls than boys (16.1% versus 9.3%, p = 0.039). Children classified initially as hypertensive, obese or having a hypercholesterolemia were identified 4 years later at a subsequent exam as hypertensive, obese or having a hypercholesterolemia in respectively 25%, 48.9% and 59%. The stability of cardiovascular risk factors among children imposes an early screening for a better management and a policy of cardiovascular health promotion since childhood based essentially on prevention of risk factors in order to reduce the cardiovascular disease burden in adulthood.