1st October 2004
American Heart Association
Summary, Abstract,

Source: National Guidelines Clearinghouse

GUIDELINE OBJECTIVE(S)

To optimize the school environment as an integral part of population-based strategies designed to promote cardiovascular health for all US children and youth and reduce the risk and public health burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD)

TARGET POPULATION

School-age children (kindergarten through grade 12)

INTERVENTIONS AND PRACTICES CONSIDERED

1. School-based (including preschools and after-school programs) educational programs aimed at promoting cardiovascular health for children and youth emphasizing:
   • Healthy dietary intake
   • Physical activity
   • Smoking behavior
   • Education about risk factors for cardiovascular disease
2. Establishment of school policies that promote physical activity and healthy patterns of nutrition including:
   • Heart-healthy school lunches and snacks
   • Physical education programs
   • Tobacco-free environments in schools
   • School-community links to promote cardiovascular health

MAJOR OUTCOMES CONSIDERED

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor knowledge
• Total fat intake
• Salt/sodium intake
• Total/high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol
• Systolic/diastolic blood pressure
• Indices of obesity
• Pulse rate
• Total fat content of school lunch menus
• Saturated fat content of school lunch menus
• Amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in physical education (PE) programs
• Changes in fat content of food lunch offerings
• Body mass index (BMI)
• PV_O2max