[Studies on the reduction and correction risk factors for arteriosclerosis in junior high school pupils]

Circulatory system examinations performed on first-grade pupils of junior high schools (12 years old; N = 1,204), identified 105 high-risk pupils with arteriosclerosis-promoting factors. These pupils were consulted on life-style modification, emphasizing nutrition and exercise, and encouraged to practice personal health management and self-monitoring. Reduction and correction of high risk factors were studied in these subjects, based on review of results of health examinations performed regularly up to the time of their graduation. Results are as follows: 1. Averages for obesity grade (for both sexes) in the second and the third years were significantly lower than that in the first year. Based on a general reference value > or = 20%, improvements were observed in 22.5% of males and 50.0% of females. 2. In both sexes average total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) were lower in the second and the third years than in the first year, and a significant increase in HDL cholesterol was seen. With regard to a general reference value > or = 3.0 for AI (Atherogenic Index) calculated using TC and HDL cholesterol, improvements (reduction) were observed in 29.4%, of males and 46.2% of females. 3. While the numbers of subjects with elevated SBP, DBP, GPT, FPG and BUN were few, there were significant decreases in averages in the second and third years compared with those in the first year. Using general reference values, improvements in these risks were seen in 100% for all values except for GPT where 75.0% showed improvement. 4. Comparison of grouped distribution of summed values of examination results between the first year and the third year, showed improvements (reduction and correction of risks) in 69 pupils (65.7%), while 30 pupils (28.6%) remained in the same group with no improvement and 6 pupils (5.7%) turned for the worse, dropping one rank.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)