A descriptive review and survey of risk factors that effect children in suburban elementary schools

Abstract

Abstract of a Major Applied Research Proposal Presented to the University of Central Florida in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Health Science A DESCRIPTIVE REVIEW AND SURVEY OF RISK FACTORS THAT EFFECT CHILDREN IN SUBURBAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS by SHARON J. KRONSCHNABL NOVEMBER 1991 President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports {PCPFS) has seen a decrease in children's fitness levels. Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of adult humans in the United States and will account for 366 billion dollars of the total national health care costs by the year 2000 (Charles, 1980). This disease has certain risk factors that can be determined at a very young age. By modifying these risk factors with behavioral change, the incidence of coronary heart disease can be reduced among the population of adults and children. With appropriate health behaviors, coronary heart disease can be nonexistent in child's lifetime.

The basic research questions for this study are: 1. What are the risk factors for heart disease that directly effect children at a young age? 2. In regard to coronary heart disease, is there a decrease in the children's physical fitness capacity? If so, does this decrease affect their daily lifestyle? 3. Are the four fitness components helpful to determine if a child is at high risk for heart disease? 4. What are the best guidelines for a health and physical education program to prevent future heart disease? There were 96 elementary schools surveyed in the Duval County School District, 50 of which responded. A survey instrument was constructed for the purpose of collecting descriptive data about the physical education programs. It was discovered that almost 25 percent of the elementary schools' surveyed had no standards or set guidelines for physical education programs to prevent future heart disease and to increase the fitness levels of the students. The final results of this study can provide information to health and physical education teachers and families to modify their teaching methods and health behaviors so that a reduced risk of coronary heart disease can be attained. Regular classroom teaching can also benefit since schools are often responsible for health education during the day.

Notes

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Graduation Date

1991

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Mendenhall, Thomas S.

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Health and Public Affairs

Department

Health Sciences

Format

PDF

Pages

75 p.

Language

English

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

Identifier

DP0029061

Subjects

Dissertations, Academic -- Health and Public Affairs; Health and Public Affairs -- Dissertations, Academic

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