title: Cardiovascular intervention for high-risk families: the Heart Smart Program.
abstract: The Heart Smart Family Health Promotion Program is a multidisciplinary, school-based program for cardiovascular risk reduction among high-risk children and their families. As a program that includes young adults at high risk, it is adaptable to a clinical practice. Nineteen fourth and fifth graders were selected as probands for elevated risk factors after a general screening to identify families for an intervention program. Twenty-three parents participated in a 12-week program focused on eating, exercise, and smoking behavior changes enhanced by behavicral support strategies. Weekly sessions were held in the auditorium/cafeteria of the elementary school and consisted of orientation and presentations, cardiovascular (CV) screening with medical feedback, activities, self-monitoring, counseling, and contingency contracting. Information gathered before and after the program included medical history, CV health knowledge and relevant behavior, blood pressure, serum lipid and lipoprotein values, anthropometric measurements, and urine electrolyte excretion. Both children and parents showed positive changes in eating habits and physical activity and significant changes in knowledge and blood pressure levels, while the children halted their weight gain. We believe this multidisciplinary, behavior-oriented, school-based program can be an effective cardiovascular risk intervention adaptable for a clinical office practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans 70112.
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Nicklas
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Arbeit
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Harsha
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Mott
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wattigney
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Berenson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise; D005192:Family Health; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D008019:Life Style; D008145:Louisiana; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D011188:Potassium / Q000652:urine; D012307:Risk Factors; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012964:Sodium / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium