The relationship among attitudes, behaviors, and biomedical measures of adolescents "at risk" for cardiovascular disease.
This study monitored trends in health behavior and attitudes of 93 adolescents who, according to clinical measures, were classified "at risk" for cardiovascular disease and determined the relationship among their health status, behavior, and attitude over a four-year period. Data collected included biomedical measures and self-reported health behaviors and attitudes. A greater proportion of "at risk" students reported negative health behavior changes in smoking, diet, alcohol, and stress. However, a positive health behavior trend was noted with respect to smokeless tobacco use declining from a high of 14% as freshmen to 8% as seniors. Also, students appeared sensitive to the potentially harmful effects of smoking. In general, a positive relationship existed among health status, health attitudes, and behavior. The findings justify screening to identify students "at risk" and beginning early intervention to prevent chronic disease in later life.