Currently in its 10th year of screening, The CARDIAC Project has provided nine years worth of cardiovascular risk education and intervention among children aged 15 years and younger. With WVRHEP partnerships, more than 2615 kindergarten, 1267 second, 46,078 fifth and 1044 ninth graders have been screened through in the CARDIAC Project.  An additional 4341 parents and 709 school staff have received free fasting lipid profiles to assess their personal risk.   

Exactly 46,078 fifth graders have been screened since 1998.  Overall, 27.2% of all children were overweight and an additional 18.3% were at risk of becoming overweight.  Based on a fingerstick in years 1-5 and a fasting lipid profile in years 6-9, over twenty percent (22.3%) had abnormal blood lipids, called dyslipidemia.  Almost five percent (4.6%) of children had a rash on the back of the neck (Acanthosis Nigricans) indicative of possible insulin resistance. 
Project results below are presented for each county by school year and at the state level. These findings refer to the number and percentage of 5th grade students (and participating parents) who were screened and who tested positive for the listed cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk factors.  
To view individual county data, first select the school year you want to review then rollover the map to find your county and click once. Statewide results are available for 1998 - 2007. Year 10 data is currently in progress.

Realizing the need to examine the prevalence of obesity among very young children, CARDIAC Kinder was implemented during the 2003-2004 school year.  CARDIAC Kinder began as a pilot study in four counties geographically dispersed to represent various regions of the state.  It was designed to teach kindergarten children and their parents about physical activity through the use of a step counter, and to educate parents on obesity related issues, including good nutrition and physical activity.  CARDIAC Kinder uses the same resources available to The CARDIAC Project, but limits screening procedures to only height and weight data collection given the age and development level of the Kindergarten students. 
By expanding the screening to include second graders in the 2005-2006 school year, the CARDIAC Project continued to increase awareness about normal growth (weight and height) among WV children, and to learn more about chronic diseases such as diabetes and premature heart disease.  Like CARDIAC Kinder, CARDIAC Too also limits the screening procedure to height and weight collection. 
This year (2007-2008 school year), by request of the Governor, The CARDIAC Project began offering CARDIAC Kinder and CARDIAC Too screenings to kindergarteners and second graders in all West Virginia counties.  Students continue to be screened with the help of RHEP students and staff.  
Of the 2615 Kindergarten students screened (41.1% of those eligible) since inception of CARDIAC Kinder, 18.4% had a Body Mass Index (BMI) over the 95 percentile, and were considered overweight.  An additional 16.6% were at risk for overweight, with BMIs in the 85th-94th percentile.

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Of the 1267 2nd grade students screened in its pilot year, 19.7% of all children were overweight and an additional 18.1% were at risk of becoming overweight.  In addition, 35% of students also had a positive family history of heart disease.

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Children and their families receive the results of the screening in the mail.  The CARDIAC Health Report includes comprehensive screening results as well as information developed to help families understand the importance of the screening and how to interpret their children’s results.  An example of the CARDIAC Health Report is provided below.

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Additionally, parents receive information about making health lifestyle choices with regard to a healthy diet and adequate physical activity.  A separate form is also mailed to families with this information.

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Over the past four years, 9th grade students in select WV counties have had the opportunity to receive a CARDIAC screening. Results from these efforts are provided in the chart below. Overall, 1,044 9th grade students have been screened. Almost nineteen percent (18.7%) of these students were at risk for being overweight; another 24.6% were already overweight. Just under 7% (6.8%) of these students had the AN markers. Finally , 19.4% had at least one abnormal fasting lipid profile level.

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During the 2008-2009 school year, CARDIAC will be offering free screening to all students enrolled in the 7th grade.  This latest addition is part of a major effort to expand the screenings to more students throughout the state.

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