title: A cholesterol reduction demonstration project: results from a challenge between two cities.
abstract: A competition was conducted between Jackson, MS and Lansing, MI to reduce blood cholesterol levels among self-selected individuals who were generally at high risk for elevated coronary heart disease. Baseline plasma cholesterol levels were measured and risk factor data were recorded for 13,710 participants in Jackson and 6,719 in Lansing (6.8% and 5.1% of the total populations, respectively). A six month educational campaign was conducted in both cities which included nutritional seminars, television shows, newspaper advertisements etc. From Jackson, 6,244 participants returned for the follow-up screening, and 2,404 from Lansing (46% and 36%). Subjects who reported changes in their diets had an average cholesterol reduction of 19 mg/dl (9%) in Jackson, and 2 mg/dl (1%) in Lansing (after adjustment for sex, baseline level, and age, P less than 0.01). In Lansing, participants were less likely to have college degrees, and were more likely to have participated because of concern with previously determined elevated cholesterol levels than Jackson participants.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Muscat
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Haley
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Wynder
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D003256:Community Participation; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D002784:Cholesterol