Impact of a school-based intervention to cardiovascular risk factors prevention (RESCATE) on physical activity and diet in Mexican children aged 8-10 years.

Background: Cardiovascular heart disease remains the leading cause of death around the world and early prevention is mandated. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in school-aged children. Methods: A randomized control field trial including 498 children aged 8-10 years from a convenience sample of 10 public schools of Mexico City. Schools were randomized to intervention (IG=5) or control (CG=5) group and followed during 12 months. Intervention included diet and physical activity components implemented at individual, school, and family levels, Results: At the end of the follow-up, the IG, but not the CG, showed a significant improvement in the nutrition and physical activity, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours score and moderate physical activity. Indeed, the IG reduced the sodium consumption (from 1631 to 847 mg/d, p=<0,0001) in comparison with an increase in the CG (from 1309 to 1626, p<0,0001). Finally, the prevalence of elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased in the IG, but not in the CG. Conclusions: The intervention was able to modify the diet physical activity, and blood pressure in the studied children.