OCCURRENCE IN CHILDREN OF MULTIPLE RISK-FACTORS FOR CORONARY-ARTERY DISEASE - BOGALUSA HEART-STUDY

The aggregation at high levels of risk factor variables for coronary artery disease (CAD) was studied in 4064 children of a biracial population in Bogalusa, Louisiana. Above the age-, race-, and sex-specific 75th percentiles for serum cholesterol, blood pressure, and a weight-height index were 144 (3.33%) schoolchildren. This was greater than expected (P <0.001) under a null hypothesis of no association. The relationship was stronger in white males (3.8%) and black females (4.0%) than in white females (2.8%) and black males (2.7%). This aggregation tended to increase with age. For preschool children we found no more aggregation than expected. Data from these and future observations may enable us to identify a cohort of children who persistently exhibit multiple risk factor variables at high levels. This identification would be essential should prevention efforts for CAD be initiated. © 1979.