ABSTRACT
The European Youth Heart Study (EYHS) is a multi-centre, international study, addressing the prevalence and aetiology of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in children aged 9 and 15 years with a mixed cross-sectional and longitudinal design with data collection every 6 years including new young cohorts and retest of previous cohorts in Denmark, Portugal, Norway and Estonia. Later Iceland and Spain joined the study. The first assessments started in 1997 and a 6-and 12-year follow-up have been finished in Denmark, 6-year follow-up in Norway, Portugal and Iceland, and Portugal is currently collecting 12-year follow-up. Sedentary and physical activity behaviours were objectively assessed with accelerometers. Blood samples were drawn for analysis of traditional CVD risk factors, genetic mapping and a possibility to analyze new biomarkers. Assessments included also measurements of dietary intake, physical fitness including cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), muscular strength, skinfold measurements and a comprehensive questionnaire for both children and parents. This short book chapter summarizes the major findings related to sedentary behavior, physical activity and physical fitness. The findings of the EYHS include cross-sectional and prospective observational data.
