Evaluation of Health-Promoting Behaviors in the Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases in the Preschool Children of Polish Health Care Professionals

Abstract

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the health-promoting behavior of the preschool children (aged 3–6 y) of Polish health care professionals (HCPs). Methods: The study was conducted by means of quantitative research on a group of 386 individuals, using an Internet-based survey. Results: The ideal cardiovascular health model was determined in the case of 22 children (5.6%). The collected data revealed that, when regarding the recommended level of physical activity, children from HCP families meet the American Heart Association criteria much more often than their peers from other study populations (56.5% vs. 16.6%). In our study, more girls than boys participated in organized activities (60.2% vs. 50.3%, p = 0.05). There was no correlation between achieving adequate levels of physical activity and the BMI (p > 0.1). Overweight children had a more balanced diet than children with a normal body weight (p = 0.009). Conclusions: The obtained results allowed us to make the conclusion that there is a need to implement educational and preventive measures on a large scale, while some health-promoting behaviors, especially those concerning proper nutrition, require major modifications, even in HCP families.

Why and How Should We Assess the Cardiovascular Risk in Patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis? A Single-Centre Experience with Carotid Intima-Media Measurements

“…Due to psychosocial stress triggered by the diagnosis of JIA, a trend towards the “inactive lifestyle” tended to increase over time from disease onset [ 67 ]. Therefore, positive health behaviors, including regular physical activity in childhood and adolescence, need to be further promoted [ 68 ]. A reduction in sedentary screen time could also potentially have broad health benefits, as it is associated with, e.g., higher energy intake and poor diet quality [ 69 ].…”

Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

“…In our previous study we have shown higher exposure to CVD risk factors among children in professional physician families compared to the general population. Alarming conclusions were drawn that even among a professional group of physicians with knowledge of the harmful exposure to CVD risk factors, only 22 children (5.6% of all subjects) had ideal cardiovascular health [ 38 ]. In the course of this study we found that only one child with JIA could be classified as having ideal cardiovascular health; this was a child with no exposure to passive smoking, a BMI <85th percentile, daily physical activity for about 1 h and meeting the criterion of a healthy diet, with normal total cholesterol, normal blood pressure and normal fasting blood glucose.…”