Cardiovascular
Sociodemographic predictors of cardiovascular health among low-income and racially and ethnically diverse children Subin Jang* Subin Jang Lenora Goodman Nancy E. Sherwood Simone A. French Alicia Kunin-Batson Junia N. de Brito
Background: The American Heart Association (AHA) identified health factors and behaviors as key measures for ideal cardiovascular health (CVH), known as Life’s Essential 8 (LE8). Using LE8 (except sleep), we examined sociodemographic factors that were independently associated with CVH among children living in low income and racially/ethnically diverse households.
Methods: The analytic sample included 268 children who participated in the NET-Works randomized clinical trial and the NET-Works 2 prospective follow-up study. Sociodemographic factors were measured at baseline (aged 3.4±0.7yrs, 49% female; 63% Hispanic). At the 5-year follow-up visit (aged 9.4±0.7yrs), we calculated the total CVH scores (0-100) in addition to the score for each of 7 metrics: BMI percentile, plasma glucose, blood lipids (calculated as total – HDL cholesterol), blood pressure, smoke exposure, diet, and physical activity. Scores 80 to 100 indicated high CVH by AHA. Logistic regression models estimated odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the association between sociodemographic factors and CVH.
Results: The overall mean CVH score was 75.3±8.3. Thirty-two percent of the sample had high CVH (mean score 84.4±2.8) and 68% had low CVH (mean 71.0±6.4). Key factors driving high CVH scores were lower BMI percentile, lower non-HDL cholesterol, healthier diet, and higher physical activity. Sociodemographic factors associated with high CVH were higher household income (OR 3.37, 95% CI 1.67-6.78), parent’s self-reported non-Hispanic White race (3.46, 1.62-7.39), advanced education (3.10, 1.52-6.35), and no participation in food assistance programs (WIC: 0.57, 0.33-0.97 and SNAP: 0.57, 0.34-0.97).
Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of identifying groups at highest risk of poor CVH, such as socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, and developing strategies to address unique needs and barriers experienced by these children and families to enhance the CVH of all children.