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A public health vs a risk-based intervention to improve cardiovascular health in elementary school children: The cardiovascular health in children study

Author

Listed:
  • Harrell, J.S.
  • McMurray, R.G.
  • Gansky, S.A.
  • Bangdiwala, S.I.
  • Bradley, C.B.

Abstract

Objectives. This study sought to determine the population effects of both classroom-based and risk-based interventions designed to reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors in children. Methods. Elementary school children (n = 2109; age range: 7-12 years) were randomized by school to a classroom-based intervention for all third and fourth graders, a risk-based intervention only for those with 1 or more cardiovascular disease risk factors, or a control group. The 8-week interventions involved both knowledge-attitude and physical activity components. Results. School-level analyses showed that physical activity in the risk-based group and posttest knowledge in the classroom-based group were significantly higher than in the control group. With regard to trends shown by individual-level analyses, cholesterol dropped more in the classroom-based than in the control group, and skinfold thickness decreased 2.9% in the classroom-based group and 3.2% in the risk-based group (as compared with a 1.1% increase in the control group). Conclusions. Both classroom-based and risk-based interventions had positive effects on physical activity and knowledge, with trends toward reduced body fat and cholesterol. However, the classroom-based approach was easier to implement and evidenced stronger results than the risk-based intervention.

Suggested Citation

  • Harrell, J.S. & McMurray, R.G. & Gansky, S.A. & Bangdiwala, S.I. & Bradley, C.B., 1999. "A public health vs a risk-based intervention to improve cardiovascular health in elementary school children: The cardiovascular health in children study," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 89(10), pages 1529-1535.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1999:89:10:1529-1535_9
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    Cited by:

    1. Jonathan L. Blitstein & Peter J. Hannan & David M. Murray & William R. Shadish, 2005. "Increasing the Degrees of Freedom in Existing Group Randomized Trials," Evaluation Review, , vol. 29(3), pages 241-267, June.

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