A controlled trial of health promotion programs in 11-year-olds using physical activity "enrichment" for higher risk children.

Objective: To evaluate the short and long term benefits of a school and home based physical activity "enrichment" program for children at higher risk of cardiovascular disease as identified by cluster analysis.

Study Design: During two 10-week school terms, 800 11-year-olds took part in a randomized controlled trial with the standard physical activity and nutrition program in six schools, the standard program in a further seven schools but with the addition of physical activity enrichment for higher risk children in those schools, and no program in five control schools. Cluster analysis identifying the 29% or so highest risk children used systolic blood pressure, percent body fat, physical fitness, and blood cholesterol.

Differences in response to nutrition and fitness education programmes in relation to baseline levels of cardiovascular risk in 10 to 12-year-old children.

Objective: To examine associations between children's responses to nutrition and fitness programmes and their baseline levels of cardiovascular risk factors.

Design: A randomised controlled trial.

Setting: Primary schools in Perth, Western Australia.

Clustering of cardiovascular risk factors in Australian adolescents: association with dietary excesses and deficiencies.

Background: Effective cardiovascular disease prevention requires strategies aimed at those children and adolescents most at risk. This study was designed to identify adolescents with clustering of higher levels of cardiovascular risk factors related to diet, blood pressure, fitness, fatness and blood cholesterol.

Methods: A representative sample of 555 schoolchildren aged 15 years from the Perth, Australia metropolitan area, was included in a cross-sectional survey analysing relationships between nutrient intake, fitness, physical activity, percentage of body fat, blood pressure and heart rate.

Effects of garlic extract on platelet aggregation: a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study.

1. Studies of the effects of garlic on platelet aggregation have produced inconsistent results possibly related to variations in study design and in the garlic preparations used. 2.

A controlled evaluation of a fitness and nutrition intervention program on cardiovascular health in 10- to 12-year-old children.

Background: Programs to improve cardiovascular health in schoolchildren need careful scientific evaluation.

Method: In a randomized controlled trial of nutrition and fitness programs over a period of about 9 months, 1,147 10- to 12-year-olds from 30 schools were allocated to one of five health programs: fitness, fitness + school nutrition, school-based nutrition, school + home nutrition, home-based nutrition, or a control group. Nutrient intake, fitness, anthropometry, blood pressure, and blood cholesterol were measured before and after intervention.