Table 1

Mean and prevalence of CVD risk factors by socio-economic status in 8–10-year-old children


Low SES
High SES




Total group size
At-risk prevalence % (95 % CI)
Mean (SD)
Total group size
At-risk prevalence % (95 % CI)
Mean (SD)

Physical fitness






Girls
107
30.84(22.27–40.50)
8.75(1.41)
160
21.25(15.19–28.41)
9.15(1.39)
Boys
114
32.46(23.99–41.86)
9.94(1.74)
122
15.57(9.64–23.25)
10.50(1.48)







Body Mass Index






Girls
124
16.13 (10.34–23.81)
17.43 (2.63)
168
13.69 (8.88–19.83)
17.08 (2.45)
Boys
124
15.32 (9.48–22.89)
17.48 (2.71)
131
12.98 (7.74–19.96)
17.28 (2.23)

Subjects were classified as being at-risk in relation to physical fitness, if they belonged to the lower sex and age group specific quartile of physical fitness. In relation to BMI, subjects were classified as being at-risk if they were overweight according to BMI cut-points proposed by the International Obesity Task Force. Physical fitness was measured in watt/kg2/3 and BMI in kg/m2

‡ Significantly different from the corresponding value in the opposite SES group (P < 0.05)

† Borderline significantly different from the corresponding value in the opposite SES group (0.05< P < 0.09)

Kristensen et al. BMC Public Health 2006 6:20   doi:10.1186/1471-2458-6-20