The purpose of this program is to implement and evaluate a comprehensive educational program in the schools to alter the cardiovascular """"""""at-risk"""""""" behavior of children and their parents. The overall goals are threefold. First, the program is designed to prevent children from developing behavior patterns which might result in heart disease as adults. Second, the program is designed to alter the current behaviors of children and adults which are believed to result in heart disease. Lastly, it is felt that a comprehensive risk factor program aimed at both parents and children is likely to have an impact beyond the initial point of intervention, that is, that changes will be sustained over time. The risk factors to be addressed include smoking, nutrition, and blood pressure management. All interventions are based on social learning theory and are designed to be delivered by older children who should be good role models for the children receiving the program. The programs to be conducted are adaptations of programs of known efficacy and will include additional evaluation and modification of the programs to be delivered by older peers, direct instruction of parents, and training of children to talk with their parents about their health behavior.
