Validation of an educational game to promote cardiovascular health in children

Objective: The aim of this study was to validate the content and appearance of an educational game for children aged 7 to 10 years, focusing mainly on cardiovascular health promotion. Method: The study used methodological research, with a quantitative approach. The validation process included the participation of 17 specialists in children and/or cardiovascular health. A concordance index of at least 0.80 was considered for content validation and 0.75 for the appearance of the proposed educational material. Results: The proposal of the educational game was considered valid, through some suggestions, in view of the purpose of sensitizing children in relation to the promotion of cardiovascular health while still in childhood. Final considerations: As a relevant factor in the use of games as strategies to improve health education, we emphasize that the participant is the active agent and the protagonist of the health-disease process.

Abstract 14193: Depression Worsens Cardiovascular Health: A Population-based Cohort Study (NHANES, 2015-16)

Introduction: Depression increases cardiovascular risk, but associations between depression and cardiovascular risk profiles have had limited investigation. We hypothesized that depression is associated with cardiovascular risk factors in a population-based cohort. Methods: We selected participants from the 2015-16 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and age ≥25 years. Participants completed the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), a 9-item, validated instrument categorizing minimal (0-4), mild (5-9) or moderate-to-severe (≥10) depression. We employed the American Heart Association’s assessment of cardiovascular health, Life’s Simple 7 (LS7) which uses risk factors (smoking status, BMI, physical activity, diet, cholesterol, blood pressure, and glycohemoglobin) to categorize cardiovascular health as poor (0-1), intermediate (5-9) or ideal (10-14). We related PHQ scores to cardiovascular health as measured by LS7 in regression analyses adjusted for relevant covariates (age, sex, race, education, health insurance and poverty-income level). Results: Among 5053 NHANES participants, 4003 (79%) had data for the PHQ and determination of LS7 scores (age 51±16; 52% female; 67% white race). Individuals with mild depression (PHQ 5-9) had 1.4-times greater likelihood (95% CI, 1.07-1.92) of lower cardiovascular health compared to those without depression in multivariable-adjusted models. Likewise, individuals with moderate depression (PHQ≥10) had 3-times greater likelihood (95% CI, 1.90-4.97) of lower cardiovascular health compared to those without depression. Conclusions: In a socially diverse cohort, individuals with depression were more likely to have significantly lower cardiovascular health compared to those without depression. Our findings show that depression may be a barrier to cardiovascular health promotion. Addressing depression appears essential to improve cardiovascular health.

Use of educational technologies in the promotion of children’s cardiovascular health: a systematic review

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of educational technologies for cardiovascular health promotion in children. Methods: A systematic review was carried out through a search in Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde, Comissão de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal do Nível Superior, EBSCOHot Information Services, and US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health databases, using the descriptors: play and plaything, cardiovascular diseases, child, and health promotion, between 2012 and 2019. Results: Eight articles were selected for this review. The identified technologies were based on low-tech interventions, such as play workshops, using tools such as CARDIOKIDS, the SI! program, MOVI-2, and activities with wide-ranging digital tools such as Fooya!, Fit2PlayTM, and the exergame cycling program. Conclusions: It is noteworthy that all of the analyzed interventions were effective and those that involved playing were better accepted by the children.

Addressing Cardiovascular Health Disparities in Minnesota: Establishment of a Community Steering Committee by FAITH! (Fostering African-American Improvement in Total Health)

Despite its rank as the fourth healthiest state in the United States, Minnesota has clear cardiovascular disease disparities between African-Americans and whites. Culturally-tailored interventions implemented using community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles have been vital to improving health and wellness among African-Americans. This paper delineates the establishment, impact, and lessons learned from the formation of a community steering committee (CSC) to guide the Fostering African-American Improvement in Total Health (FAITH!) Program, a CBPR cardiovascular health promotion initiative among African-Americans in Minnesota. The theory-informed CSC implementation process included three phases: (1) Membership Formation and Recruitment, (2) Engagement, and (3) Covenant Development and Empowerment. The CSC is comprised of ten diverse community members guided by mutually agreed upon bylaws in their commitment to FAITH!. Overall, members considered the CSC implementation process effective and productive. A CBPR conceptual model provided an outline of proximal and distal goals for the CSC and FAITH!. The CSC implementation process yielded four lessons learned: (1) Have clarity of purpose and vision, (2) cultivate group cohesion, (3) employ consistent review of CBPR tenets, and (4) expect the unexpected. A robust CSC was established and was instrumental to the success and impact of FAITH! within African-American communities in Minnesota.

Empowering High School Students Through Engagement in a Community Event

Background: Obesity continues to afflict adolescents in underserved communities. It is difficult to understand how adolescents perceive empowerment over their health and the health of their communities. The purpose of our study was to describe the impact of the Healthy Heart Ambassador program on adolescents’ perceived empowerment through the development and implementation of a community event. Methods: High school students designed and implemented a cardiovascular health promotion and disease prevention community event using knowledge acquired through participation in the Teen Take Heart program. The HHA program was created based on the Adolescent Empowerment Model, where participants chose a community event they felt would best deliver the cardiovascular health promotion and disease prevention information. Participants completed a post event survey to evaluate their sense of empowerment while participating in the program. Results: The AES addressed two domains and six attributes of psychological empowerment. The results suggest a sense of empowerment resulted from participating in the student-led community event. Conclusion: During the HHA event students were engaged with other students, teachers, and members of their community who attended the event. In addition, groups of students who did not normally interact with each other were cooperating and working as a team.