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Cardiovascular health promotion for children: A model for a parish (county)-wide program (implementation and preliminary results)
Preventive Cardiology, 08/17/09

Berenson GS et al. – Early results for the Bogalusa Heart Study for cardiovascular (CV) health promotion show reduction in obesity, increased physical activity, improved decision making, and healthy attitudes. This public health model is inexpensive due to use of prior research findings and integration into community resources. Health education of children is a key aspect of preventive cardiology.

Methods

Summary of the Bogalusa Heart Study design, goals, and initial findings

Results

Bogalusa Heart Study: prevention program for children to address behaviors and lifestyles associated with CV risk
Substructure: parish (county) model
Inclusion of all aspects in educating school children: classroom, physical activity, cafeteria, teachers, and parents with community involvement
Implementation and sustainability by required cooperation of parents, schools, physicians, politicians, and businesspersons
Framework for improving lifestyles and behaviors beginning in childhood based on understanding the origin of coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes, and the obesity epidemic
Issues addressed: nutrition; exercise; tobacco, alcohol, and drug use; and societal issues (dropping out of school, violent behavior, teenage pregnancy)
Initial accomplishment: entry into all elementary schools, representing ~7000 children

Exclusive Author Commentary
Gerald Berenson, 08/17/09

Evidence of coronary artery disease has been clearly established to begin in child hood. similarly risk factors can be identified in childhood. to begin maximum prevention should begin in childhood addressing lifestyles and behaviors that result in the risk for adult heart diseases. these include the obesity epidemic we are now facing, atherosclerosis, hypertension and type 2 diabetes.the model of health education at the elementary school age can reach the greatest number of children at both beginning and future cardiovascular risk. this is the future of preventive cardiology.

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