Effects of family-oriented risk-based prevention on serum cholesterol and blood pressure values of children and adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the effects of family-oriented prevention on total and LDL cholesterol and blood pressure of children.


METHODS
A controlled intervention study.


METHODS
Family-oriented prevention of risk factors of coronary heart disease (CHD) in Eastern Finland. The programme consisted of two counselling meetings at children's schools, and three at children's homes.


METHODS
In total 388 in the intervention group (IG) with a family history of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and 470 in control groups: 151 in control group I (CI) with a family history of CVDs, and 319 in control group II (CII) with no family history.


METHODS
Serum mean total and LDL cholesterol, and blood pressure.


RESULTS
Among the youngest (6-9 years) girls, changes in total (-0.3 vs. +0.2 mmol/l) and LDL cholesterol (-0.3 vs. +0.0 mmol/l) were more favourable in IG than in CI. Diastolic blood pressure increased less among the youngest boys in IG (+3 mm Hg) than among those in CI (+11 mm Hg) or CII (+10 mm Hg).


CONCLUSIONS
Family-oriented health counselling had favourable effects on total and LDL cholesterol among girls aged 6-9 years, and on the development of diastolic blood pressure among boys aged 6-9 years.
Salminen
Marika
M
Institute of Clinical Medicine, Family Medicine, University of Turku, Finland. majosa@utu.fi
Vahlberg
Tero
T
Kivelä
Sirkka-Liisa
SL
D000293:Adolescent; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D002784:Cholesterol