The Nurnberg Prevention Education Programme (PEP) . Arteriosclerosis prevention begins with the school child
Haas, G.M.; Liepold, E.; Schwandt, P.
MMW Fortschritte der Medizin 145(13): 34-36
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 1438-3276 Document Number: 334143
A brief account is given of the Nurnberg PEP, which commenced in 1993 and involves the families of children at 48 schools in the city of Nurnberg. All participants (about 100 000) are given an annual health check, and the certificate of good health issued is closely related to the 7-day diet which all participants follow in the week before the blood sample is taken. The diet is evaluated and, with the health certificate, forms the basis of nutrition and lifestyle advice given to the participants. In the 9 years of the study, the research has shown all arteriosclerosis risk factors in the school children taking part in the study, even in children of 6-10 years of age. In 2002, there were 1065 children in the study in this age group, of whom 767 were normal body weight, 151 slightly overweight and 125 overweight. Of 1040 children 6-10 years of age in which blood pressure was measured, it was optimum in 878, while in 92 it required monitoring and in 70 intervention was required. In about half the children (n=484) total blood cholesterol was above the optimum level. Finally, about 14.5% of the children under 10 (154) are exposed to passive smoking. This research project is a 14-year study. It is concluded that, by means of this education programme, children and their parents are being directed towards a more healthy lifestyle.