الفهرس 
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Abstract
Summary Cardiovascular disease has been identified as the primary non-communicable health problem and most likely became the leading cause of death in developing world as a result of increasing risk factors as high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, obesity, physical inactivity and low consumption of fruits and vegetables.This study was designed to identify the presence of cardiac risk factors among secondary school students. This study was conducted at Manshiat Sulatan Village, Menouf district, Menoufiya Governorate. The data collection phase was completed between 1st of January to the end of May 2003.
A convenience sample of 150 secondary school student, both sex, their ages ranged from 15 – 18 years.
The data collection instrument consisted of two main parts. The first part was an interview questionnaire sheet for each student which included socio-demographic data, health habits practice as physical exercise, smoking, and eating habits, measurements of (weight, height, triceps skinfold thickness and blood pressure).
The second part was developed for parents of each student and included questionnaire about family history of heart disease, hypertension, obesity, diabetes and gout and habits of mother’s in cooking. This part of questionnaires were sent to home with students and parents were asked to complete it and returned it back.
Results of the present study revealed that, 50% of students were from each sex, with mean age 16.15 ± 0.92 years. Only 15.3% of students had illiterate fathers and 40% of students had illiterate mothers. Fifty six of students fathers working as employees and about two thirds (64%) of students mothers working as housewives on the other hand 48% of studied sample were low socioeconomic status.
The finding showed that, family history of obesity, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and gout were positive in 40.7%, 24.7, 8.7%, 18% and 4.7% respectively.
The results reported that, 62.7% of studied sample did not practice physical exercise (34.7% of males and 90.7% of females) with a statistically significant difference between males and females (P<0.001).
The finding revealed that, more than half (58.7%) of students were exposed to passive smoking in home and 6.7% were smokers, with significant sex differences.
Eighty percent of smokers started smoking at fifteen years old or less, 50% of smokers started smoking to imitate the behavior of others, 60% of smokers obtained their first cigarette from home, 70% were smokers from one year or less and 60% were smoked five cigarettes or less/ day.
The results showed that, about half (49.3%) of students were moderate unhealthy eating habits and 26.7% were unhealthy eating habits. Additionally, 32% mothers of students were unhealthy habits in cooking.
The results of the present study reported that, 15.3% of students were obese (BMI ≥ 95th percentile) and 29.3% were excess body fat of triceps skinfold (TSF) with a statistically significant higher among females than males (P< 0.001). Also the study showed that, the mean BMI for students with family history of obesity was higher than those with no family history of obesity.
The present study showed that, 3.3% of students were hypertensive and there was no statistically significant difference (P> 0.05) between males and females despite the mean systolic and diastolic BP was higher for females than males.
This study was concluded that fifty-two percent and 25.3% were at moderate and high risk of modifiable risk factors respectively, while 8.7% of studied sample were at high risk because of their family history of heart disease.
There was a statistically significant correlation between systolic, diastolic BP and BMI, TSF, physical exercise and eating habits except smoking.
In spite of the mean systolic and diastolic BP for students with family history of heart disease was slightly higher than those with no family history of heart disease, there was no statistically significant difference.
The study also concluded that, there was statistically negative correlation between BMI and unhealthy eating habits. Additionally, there were statistically significant positive correlation between eating habits and physical exercise.
The results of this study was recommended that:
• Children in need for early intervention to promote health and reduce modifiable cardiac risk factors.
• It is essential to use school environment to encourage children to adopt desirable lifestyle through health education programs.
• Special emphasize on the yearly periodic examination of school-age children and adolescents for early detection of obesity and hypertension especially for those at high risk.
• Cholesterol screening especially for children with positive family history of heart disease.
• Smoking prevention programs should begin early as possible and focus on family, teachers and peer influences and increasing the awareness of parents about passive smoking and its harmful effect on their children health.