EDUCATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL INTERVENTIONS FOR CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTHPROMOTION IN SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED PRIMARY-SCHOOLS

School-based cardiovascular risk-reduction programs have the potential to influence lifelong habits intrinsic to good health. Following earl ier Australian Body owner's Manual (BOM) intervention trials, we exami ned the effects of two interventions on physiological indicators of ri sk of cardiovascular disease and on health knowledge: the BOM; and the BOM plus healthy life style programs for teachers and school-canteen interventions (BOM+) over two school years in socially disadvantaged p rimary schools. Each school was allocated to either a control conditio n or to one of two intervention conditions. In contrast to the finding s of the earlier South Australian trials, there were no statistically- significant changes in aerobic fitness, body fatness or HDL cholestero l; there were significant reductions in diastolic blood pressure, tota l cholesterol and triglyceride concentration for those in the BOM+ sch ools. There were significant increases in health and nutrition knowled ge for the BOM+ schools, and in health knowledge for the BOM schools.