Selected chronic disease 'risk factors' in two elementary school populations. A pilot study

Ninety-five first-grade elementary school students (aged 5 to 6 years) in two New York City area schools participated in a pilot test of a chronic disease primary prevention program stressing nutrition, antismoking, and physical activity. Program components included a health knowledge questionnaire; measurement of height, weight, skin-fold thickness, total serum cholesterol level, and blood pressure; and a modified Harvard step test of pulse rate recovery after exercise and subsequent classroom health education. The proportion of students with test values higher than specified critical levels was much greater in school M compared with school S. These measures will be repeated after one year to determine the feasibility and potential effectiveness of certain classroom health education activities.