Long term health implications of fitness and physical activity patterns

Article Abstract:

Northern Ireland has a higher incidence of CHD than any other country in the world. Poor nutrition, lack of exercise, and smoking are known risk factors for developing coronary heart disease (CHD). It has been reported that risk factors for CHD in adulthood can be identified in children. Therefore, a study was performed to evaluate the physical fitness, physical activity, health knowledge, attitudes, and dietary habits of 3,221 children in Northern Ireland. The study included 1,671 girls and 1,540 boys between the ages of 11 and 18. In all age groups studied the boys were more active than the girls. Physical activity levels began to decline after 14 years of age and were lowest in older girls. For one-third of the children studied gym class was the only source of physical activity. The girls consumed healthier diets and were more likely to be involved in weight control than the boys. A tendency toward obesity was indicated by the large number of children with a high body mass index. Greater than 20 percent of the school leavers smoked or drank alcohol on a regular basis. It is concluded that a significant number of Northern Irish children have behavioral traits that if continued may increase their risk of ill health in adulthood. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Evaluation, Demographic aspects, Physical fitness, Northern Ireland, Child development, Hypokinesia

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Alarming heart rates

Article Abstract:

A recommendation that infant heart-beat monitor alarms be set for 50 beats per minute may be inappropriate. The research leading to this recommendation may be flawed on several points. The data sample was small and the restrictive testing conditions may not correlate with an infant's real-life environment. The researchers did not allow for different mechanisms that may be involved in decreased heart beat, or bradycardia. Also, an infant's requirement for oxygen may be compromised if the heart rate drops to as low as 50 beats per minute. Pediatricians should evaluate infants who seem to be at risk for oxygen insufficiency or dangerously rapid bradycardia and determine a higher setting for the monitor alarm.

Care and treatment, Editorial, Measurement, Causes of, Physiological aspects, Infants, Heart beat, Heart rate, Bradycardia, Infant care, Sudden infant death syndrome

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