title: A cardiovascular risk reduction program for the classroom.
abstract: A quasi-experimental, longitudinal study was conducted to test the effectiveness over a 1-year period of a cardiovascular risk reduction program for school-age children. The effectiveness of the program was measured with the children's knowledge of physiology of the heart and cardiovascular risk factors, their health habits, and their physical measurements. Ninety-eight children between the ages of 9 and 12 years participated in the study. The experimental group received a series of five 40-minute sessions on physiology of the heart, smoking, hypertension, diet, and physical activity. Short-term effectiveness of the program was found for the children's knowledge of physiology of the heart and smoking. Long-term effectiveness was found for running activity.
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bindler
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Synoground
authors.forename: F C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: van Gemert
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012573:School Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*