Little is known about tracking of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and risk related behaviors, or about predicting these variables in young children. Tracking is an important issue because it reflects the extent to which the disease processes found among adults start in childhood, and whether behavioral or social factors can be used to interrupt that tracking. Data were collected over a four year period on an initial cohort of 3 or 4 year old children and their parents in Galveston, Texas, and in Augusta, GA, in regard to CVD physical risk factors and risk related behaviors. In Texas, physical risk factor data were collected at four annual clinics. Data on childrens' physical activity and diet were collected for up to four times per year for the three years between the annual measurement clinics. Similar data, although with some different measurement techniques, were collected in Georgia. For this data analysis grant, specific longitudinal research questions address whether these physical risk factors (blood pressure, lipids, lopoproteins and body composition) and risk related behaviors (diet and physical activity) track across the annual assessments, whether a variety of behavioral and social factors (demographic characteristics and family function) affect that tracking, and whether relationships obtained among adults between physical risk factors and these other variables can be found in this age child. The testing of these relationships is enhanced by the availability of multiple assessments of blood pressures and body composition at each point for more reliable assessments, and by multiple assessments of diet and physical activity within each year. It is further enhanced by the availability of observational data on physical activity and diet, which overcomes the limitations of the more common self report approach to measurement. Models will be developed in each data set and cross validated in the other. Procedures will be employed to determine reasons for differences and to revise the models to produce maximal fit in both data sets. The results of these analyses should contribute to a better understanding of at what age, and with what factors, it is most appropriate to intervene to mitigate CVD.
