Results of a three-year trial of arterial hypertension prevention in a population of children aged 11-15 years by overweight control.

As part of a study of prevention of atherosclerosis precursors mass examinations were performed in two districts of Moscow. In the intervention district, the sample included 1123 pupils aged 11-12 years (544 boys, 579 girls), in the control district 1963 pupils (963 boys, 1000 girls) were examined. Repeat checks were performed one, 2 and 3 years after initial examination (blood pressure, body mass and height, skinfold thickness above m. triceps and below the scapula). The prevention programme addressed the whole population, with special emphasis on obese children (instruction about diet and correct feeding habits, body mass control) and their social microenvironment. Favourable results were registered, in terms of blood pressure and skinfold thickness reduction, during the first 2 years in boys; in girls diastolic BP dropped in the 1st year only, skinfold thickness was reduced in the first 2 years. Multiple regression analysis confirmed that the observed changes could be ascribed to the effect of the preventive programme.