Date of Award

5-2020

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Health and Human Performance

Program

Exercise Science (MS)

First Advisor/Chairperson

Randall Jensen

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the relationship between various indicators of CVD risk in children in order to determine the most efficient and useful set of measurements to characterize CVD risk. Method: A total of 354 children (193 girls and 161 boys; age: 9-12 years) participated in the (S)Partners for Health Project from 2010 to 2018 were included in this study. Blood pressure, lipids, anthropometric measurements, and cardiorespiratory fitness were obtained from the children. Usability characteristics were based on the time of obtaining data, time of training, price, and participant likeability for each measurement. Descriptive statistics, variable level correlations, and factor analysis were used to determine the most useful variables to characterize CVD risk. Results: Weight, mean arterial pressure, total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein ratio, total cholesterol, and cardiorespiratory fitness were included as the CVD risk factors that contained the most useful information. The Measurement Usefulness Index revealed weight had a higher value, which indicates a measure that is easy to assess and significantly associated with CVD risk. Conclusion: The Measurement Usefulness Index is an important tool that future studies can use to design assessment protocols. The results allow researchers and clinicians to make more informed decisions about what indicators to include in the CVD risk assessment, based on both statistical and usability characteristics. Future studies on metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk should consider and examine the usability of the variables included.

Access Type

NMU Users Only

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