Effects of family-oriented risk-based prevention on serum cholesterol and blood pressure values of children and adolescents

Abstract

Objective. To describe the effects of family-oriented prevention on total and LDL cholesterol and blood pressure of children. Design. A controlled intervention study. Setting. 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. Subjects. 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. Main outcome measures. 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/1) and LDL cholesterol (-0.3 vs. ± 0.0 mmol/1) 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). Conclusion. 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. © 2005 Taylor & Francis.