Ann Azzollini

Improvements in Heart Health Behaviors and Reduction in Coronary Artery Disease Risk Factors in Urban Teenaged Girls Through a School-Based Intervention: The PATH Program

OBJECTIVES We sought to assess the effects of a school-based intervention program on cardiovascular disease risk factors in urban girls. METHODS We compared heart health knowledge, health behaviors, cardiovascular risk factors, and physical fitness among a group of 442 multiethnic teenaged girls (310 experimental participants vs 132 control participants). Testing was conducted before and after a 12-week program of vigorous exercises integrated with lectures and discussions on diet, exercise, stress, and smoking. RESULTS Significant differences in body fat, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart health knowledge, and whether breakfast was eaten were observed between experimental participants and control participants. CONCLUSIONS An integrated program of exercise and heart health-related lectures and discussions had a beneficial effect on health knowledge, health behaviors, and onset of risk factors for coronary artery disease among urban girls.

Physical Activity and Teenage Health

Scientific evidence suggests that the onset of coronary heart disease (CHD) and development of CHD risk factors occurs early in life.’** Risk factors of CHD that have been observed in children and adolescents include a sedentary lifestyle, poor dietary habits leading to high serum cholesterol and obesity, hypertension, and cigarette smoking. Because CHD remains the leading cause of death in the United States, early detection of risk factors combined with school-based intervention programs to modify health behaviors may reduce the prevalence of disease in adulthood. Physical activity and teenage health (PATH) is a unique combined health and physical education curriculum that addresses health behavior needs of minority adolescents. PATH’S objectives include increased awareness of positive health behaviors, improved attitudes toward positive health and fitness, increased knowledge of longterm health consequences of lifestyle choices, increased physical activity, and improved physical fitness. These objectives are consistent with the recommendations of Healthy People 2000.3 The PATH curriculum is a combination of vigorous aerobic and resistance exercise, complemented by health education and behavior modification that incorporates health knowledge and skills, and encourages healthy behaviors, critical thinking and decision making, and promotes basic skill acquisition. Classes are taught by physical education teachers who have received special in-service training on curricular materials and delivery. PATH Student Workbooks are provided to each student to facilitate learning.