Influence of Family Health History and Parental Education on Body Mass Index, Blood Pressure, and Lipid Levels in 5th Grade Children: A Secondary Data Analysis of the CARDIAC Project.

INTRODUCTION

Childhood obesity and related cardiovascular risks reflect the interplay of genetic predispositions and socioeconomic adversity. Appalachia's poverty, limited health care, and educational gaps worsen family health risks, driving early cardio-metabolic problems in children, highlighting the need for effective interventions.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine the association of family health history and parental education with BMI, BP, and lipid profiles among 5th grade children in West Virginia (WV).

METHODS

The study used WV CARDIAC data from 2006-2009. Outcomes were BMI, SBP/DBP, and fasting lipids (HDL, LDL, TG). Predictors were parental education and family health history (heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking). Multiple linear regression was used, adjusting for covariates.

RESULTS

Data from 30,756 fifth-grade children were analyzed. Among participating children, positive family history of smoking, diabetes, and high cholesterol was significantly associated with higher BMI (β = 3.07, 95% CI: 2.15-3.99, p < 0.0001). Paternal education showed a protective effect, with children of college-graduated fathers having lower BMI (β = -3.40, 95% CI: -4.20 to -2.60, p < 0.0001) and lower SBP (β = -0.94, 95% CI: -1.38 to -0.50, p < 0.0001) compared with those whose fathers had only a high school or GED education. Smoking (β = -0.69, 95% CI: -0.94 to -0.43, p < 0.0001) and diabetes (β = -0.48, 95% CI: -0.71 to -0.26, p < 0.0001) exhibited lower HDL levels.

IMPLICATIONS: These findings highlight the effects of familial factors in shaping pediatric cardiovascular risk and emphasize the need for culturally tailored, family-centered interventions to reduce health disparities.