The Tromso Family Intervention study: Effects of a family approach to reduce coronary risk factors in children of high-risk men

This study was done to assess the effect of intervention oncoronary heart disease risk factors among children using a familyapproach. Men at increased risk of coronary heart disease (n=l,373)were randomly allocated to intervention and control groups togetherwith their wives (n=1,143) and children (n=2,838). The interventionfamilies received home visits by a physician and dietician,quarterly newsletters regarding diet, smoking and physical exerciseand were invited to ‘stop smoking’ clinics and meetingson nutrition and exercise. At rescreening 6 years later, 29of the control children exceeded pre-set risk factor limitscompared with 15 in the intervention group (p<0.05). Childrenin the intervention group reported 'better' dietary habits thanchildren in control families, especially for foods commonlyeaten at home. At least 7 of the 9 ‘good’ dietaryhabits were practised by 205 intervention children comparedwith 156 in the control group (p<0.01) and 88 versus 154reported practising at least 3 of the 9 listed ‘bad’dietary habits (p<0.001). No significant differences werefound between the 12–24 year old children in the 2 groupsin mean risk factor levels, the proportion of smokers or inthe pattern of physical exercise. It was concluded that coronaryheart disease risk reduction in children using the family approachis well received and results in dietary changes and a reducednumber exceeding pre-set risk factor limits. The effect on meanrisk factor levels, smoking and physical exercise was small.Targeting the intervention more directly to children could possiblyimprove the results. Also, life-style changes may require alonger follow-up before significant differences can be seenamong teenagers.