The Child and Adolescent Trial for Cardiovascular Health (CATCH)
An Evidence-Based Practice
This practice has been Archived and is no longer maintained.
Description
CATCH seeks to prevent the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) by addressing and preventing behavioral habits which are considered risk factors for CVD development.
The target population of the CATCH program is children ranging from third-graders to fifth-graders from ethnically diverse backgrounds. This program educates the target population to promote healthier lifestyles in order to prevent the onset of CVD. The essential components of the intervention program include school food service modifications, enhanced physical education, and classroom health curricula. The program has been facilitated at four field centers: University of California at San Diego, La Jolla; University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; University of Texas at Houston; and Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA.
The target population of the CATCH program is children ranging from third-graders to fifth-graders from ethnically diverse backgrounds. This program educates the target population to promote healthier lifestyles in order to prevent the onset of CVD. The essential components of the intervention program include school food service modifications, enhanced physical education, and classroom health curricula. The program has been facilitated at four field centers: University of California at San Diego, La Jolla; University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; University of Texas at Houston; and Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA.
Goal / Mission
To reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease by reducing risk factors among children.
Results / Accomplishments
Various rigorous studies have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the CATCH program in meeting its intended goals. The effectiveness of the food service intervention was assessed using the Nutrition Data System of the University of Minnesota Nutrition Coding Center. These analyses looked at the recipe and menu of school lunches and examined the recommended levels of essential micro- and macronutrient content of foods served. The results show that the percentage of energy intake from total fat in meals was significantly reduced in the lunches of the intervention schools as compared to the lunches of the control schools; 38.7% to 31.9% and from 38.9% to 36.2%, respectively (p-value<0.001). Intake from fat among students in the intervention schools was significantly reduced compared with that among students in the control schools (p-value<0.001). Intervention students reported significantly more daily vigorous activity than controls (58.6 minutes vs 46.5 minutes; p-value<0.003).
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
Center for Youth Health Promotion
Primary Contact
Center for Youth Health Promotion
Division of EpiCH
University of Minnesota
1300 S.Second Street Suite 300
Minneapolis, MN 55451-1015
(612) 624-9378
cyhp@epi.umn.edu
http://www.childtrends.org/?programs=child-and-ado...
Division of EpiCH
University of Minnesota
1300 S.Second Street Suite 300
Minneapolis, MN 55451-1015
(612) 624-9378
cyhp@epi.umn.edu
http://www.childtrends.org/?programs=child-and-ado...
Topics
Health / Children's Health
Health / Heart Disease & Stroke
Health / Physical Activity
Health / Heart Disease & Stroke
Health / Physical Activity
Organization(s)
Center for Youth Health Promotion
Source
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Institutes of Health
Date of publication
1997
Date of implementation
1991
For more details
Target Audience
Children
Submitted By
Maria Kim, Huan Nguyen, Namquyen Le, Fay Saepharn, Nora Chandara, Edward Chang - UC Berkeley