Cardiovascular Intervention for High-Risk Families: The Heart Smart Program

Sodium intake and blood pressure in children with clinical conditions: A systematic review with meta‐analysis

“…Eight of these studies were experimental and two were observational. Data from six studies, including 381 children, could be pooled together . The meta‐analysis of these studies showed a positive and substantial association between sodium intake and systolic and diastolic BP (Figure ), that is, a difference of 6.3 mm Hg (95% CI: 2.9‐9.6) of systolic BP and of 3.5 mm Hg (95% CI: 1.2‐5.7) of diastolic BP for a difference of 1 g of sodium intake.…”

The Integration of a Family Systems Approach for Understanding Youth Obesity, Physical Activity, and Dietary Programs

“…Several studies have attempted to improve physical activity levels or healthy diets in the school setting that also included a family component (Baranowski et al 2000; Davis et al 2003; Goran and Reynolds 2005; Gortmaker et al 1999; Hopper et al 1996, 2005; Johnson et al 1991; Lowe et al 2004; Lytle et al 2004; Manios et al 1999; McKenzie et al 1996; Nader et al 1989, 1999; Nicklas et al 1998; Paineau et al 2008; Reynolds et al 2000; Vandongen et al 1995). Examples of family components used in these studies include: family homework assignments to encourage youth to prepare recipes with parents, increase home availability of fruits and vegetables, and choose fruits and vegetables at fast food restaurants (Baranowski et al 2000); take home materials such as “Action Packs” to reinforce health education, provide information and tips on physical activity and diet (Davis et al 2003), reading materials including family-based health promotion stories, and tips for engaging in physical activity and preparing healthy foods as a family (Hopper et al 1996); school-based family nights that included fun activities related to physical activity and diet such as hands-on activities, displays, and booths (Davis et al 2003; McKenzie et al 1996), parent meetings held at school with presentations on diet and physical activity, encouragement to change parental diet and physical activity behaviors, and parental support of child behavioral changes (Manios et al 1999), family-based cardiovascular risk reduction program delivered through group sessions held at the school (Nader et al 1989), and provision of behavioral reinforcements to families such as point systems and stickers for completing exercise and nutrition activities (Hopper et al 1996, 2005; Lowe et al 2004).…”

“…All of the 16 studies conducted in school settings that included a family component reported positive results on either nutrition or physical activity knowledge (Davis et al 2003; Hopper et al 1996, 2005; Nicklas et al 1998), reductions in dietary fat or calories (Gortmaker et al 1999; Johnson et al 1991; Nader et al 1999; Paineau et al 2008; Vandongen et al 1995), improvements in fruit and vegetable consumption (Baranowski et al 2000; Lowe et al 2004; Nicklas et al 1998; Reynolds et al 2000), physical activity and fitness outcomes (Manios et al 1999; McKenzie et al 1996; Vandongen et al 1995), or blood pressure (Nader et al 1989), with effect sizes ranging from .03 to 2.31 (Cohen’s d ). Largest effect sizes were demonstrated in the Hopper et al (2005) study that integrated a home program into a modified physical activity and nutrition education school curriculum where children earned points for completing home activities that were tracked in the classroom, and were taught to discuss nutritional topics at home and to improve their family’s eating habits.…”

Cardiovascular Health Promotion for Children: A Model for a Parish (County)–Wide Program (Implementation and Preliminary Results)

“…“Health Ahead/Heart Smart,” a comprehensive health education program for elementary schools, was integrated into the parish prevention program 22 . Earlier research with Health Ahead/Heart Smart materials involved both parents and children and was conducted by a multidisciplinary team 8,23 . That research included detailed risk factor screening, education at elementary school grades, and teacher and parent involvement.…”

“…It must be emphasized that a limited amount of research and evaluation of effectiveness can be attained with this low level of support and in a short period. Detailed studies had been reported earlier on the school model and have shown its effectiveness on both children and parents 8,22,23 . The initial goal for a broad public health program is to get it introduced and continued.…”