Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Anglo and Mexican American Children and Their Mothers

Cardiovascular disease risk factors may vary in different ethnic and socioeconomic status groups, and it is important to explore these factors. Cardiovascular disease risk factors, eating behavior, and physical activity were studied in lower to middle socioeconomic status (SES) Anglo American (N=146) and Mexican American (N=201) families, each with a preschool child. Independent variables were child's gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and mother's marital status. Boys were more physically active than girls, and girls had larger skinfolds. There were seven significant ethnicity differences and four significant SES differences for children. For mothers, there were six ethnicity differences and six SES differences.