Necessities and possibilities for the prevention of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases in childhood and adolescence
Lippert, P.; Lopez, H.; Wünschmann, E.; Hoffmeister, H.
Monatsschrift Kinderheilkunde Organ der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Kinderheilkunde 130(10): 753-757
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0026-9298 PMID: 7177117 Document Number: 188160
In an exploratory study involving 818 pupils 12-16 years of age blood pressure, total serum cholesterol, and smoking behavior were studied. 38.3% of the boys (N = 154) and 47.3% of the girls (N = 143) aged 15-16 demonstrated singular or combined elevated risk variables, cigarette smoking being the most predominant risk factor. 44.5% of the pupils of this age group answered to be regular smokers. 59.8% (N = 183) of secondary school pupils stated to be regular smokers as compared to 15.7% (N = 166) of grammar school pupils. The most important socialpsychological process variables were attitude of friends towards smoking, smoking experience of friends, and social function of smoking within groups. The importance of these variables showed differences according to type of school as well as gender which should be taken into account modelling preventing programmes.