[A program to improve some cardiovascular risk factors in Mexican school age children]. / Programa para mejorar marcadores de riesgo cardiovascular en escolares mexicanos.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of a physical activity intervention on cardiovascular risk factors in Mexican school-age children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Children from two public schools in Queretaro (n=360, 8-14 years old) performed a 20-minute physical activity routine every school day during 16 weeks (February-May 2006). Anthropometric, blood pressure and biochemical assessment was done before and after implementation. RESULTS: Systolic blood pressure, triglyceride and total cholesterol levels decreased significantly. The decrease in lipid and lipoprotein levels was higher in children with high baseline levels. In high-risk girls, the cardiovascular risk cluster score decreased significantly. No change in BMI, waist circumference, or insulin was observed. CONCLUSION: A simple physical activity program modified several cardiovascular risk markers in school-age children. These results may be taken as a reference to develop better intervention programs directed toward preventing the effects of children obesity.