Atherosclerosis precursors in schoolchildren--results of a two-year intervention study.
In order to reduce precursors of atherosclerosis, an intervention trial was carried out in pupils aged 10-11 years at the time of inclusion into the study (5th graders). The main goal of the study was to encourage health-promoting behaviour patterns--mostly present in the schoolchildren at that time--such as non-smoking, a negative attitude toward future smoking, a high level of physical activity including sports. The study design included dietary measures aimed at lowering blood pressure and total cholesterol values. Follow-up examination, performed at an interval of 2 years, revealed the following results: significantly lower mean total cholesterol values in girls attending the intervention schools; a significantly lower prevalence of smoking and a decrease in the number of casual smokers--compared with data obtained in the 5th grade--in the intervention schools; a negative attitude towards smoking and the extent of sport activities remained at the level of the 5th grade in the intervention schools.
Department of Preventive Cardiology Medical Academy, Erfurt, GDR.
L
L
Gräfner
J
J
Heinrich
J
J
Knappe
H
H
Holtz
D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005859:Germany, East; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012307:Risk Factors; D000074606:Smoking Prevention
D002784:Cholesterol