| title: | Longitudinal development of risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases in children, adolescents and their parents: II phase of the European Youth Heart Study |
|---|---|
| reg no: | ETF5209 |
| project type: | Estonian Science Foundation research grant |
| subject: |
3. Medical Sciences |
| status: | completed |
| institution: | University of Tartu |
| head of project: | Maarike Harro |
| duration: | 01.01.2002 - 31.12.2005 |
| description: | The main aim of the study is to figure out the nature, importance, critical period (age) and interactions between biological, psychological, lifestyle-related, familial and social environment related factors that determine the development of risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ACVD). The novel approach in the study is the usage of a longitudinal design in investigating the development of ACVD risk factors in children, adolescents and their parents. Moreover, additionally to the questionnaire based methodology (used as an only method in most of the studies) other biological, genetical, physiological and psychological measurements will be performed in laboratory circumstances. Another approach increasing the importance of the study is its international nature - the study is a part of the European Youth Heart Study performed with identical methodology among same age groups simultaneously in different European countries. In this way the importance and pathogenetical mechanisms of ethnical, cultural, climatic and socioecenomic factors can be evaluated in children from the countries with different ACVD morbidity, mortality and risk factor prevalence. The data collected with the study will help us to understand more throughly the development of ACVD risk factors in children and adolescents and in their parents. If the so called protective factors (that promote children`s health and prevent the development of ACVD risk factors) are found in some countries, they can probably be used to develop intervention programmes in other countries. The methodology used and validated during the study to assess peer influences, social norms, attitudes atc can be used in further studies and also to evaluate the effectiveness on intervention programmes. The study will other an excellent for postgraduate students to be involved in all phases of planning, organisms, performing and assessing the quality of a large epidemiological study. Postgraduate students will also be able to participate in international practical seminars about the data handling and analysis. |
| project group | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| no | name | institution | position | |
| 1. | Diva Eensoo | Univ. of Tartu | researcher | |
| 2. | Krista Fischer | University of Tartu | docent | |
| 3. | Maarike Harro | Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu | docent | |
| 4. | Evelyn Kiive | Univ. of Tartu | PhD student | |
| 5. | Inga Villa | Univ. of Tartu | PhD student | |