Child and Adolescent Trial for Cardiovascular Health (CATCH)

Child and Health Trial for Cardiovascular Health (CATCH)

This is a NIH-funded project testing the effectiveness of an intervention for third and fifth grade students on healthy eating habits, increasing physical activity, improving school cafeteria and physical education programs, establishing non-smoking curriculum and involving parents in improving cardiovascular disease risk factors in children. The Child and Adolescent Trial for Cardiovascular Health (CATCH) is an NIH-funded project testing the effectiveness of an intervention for third- to fifth-grade students (in 96 schools nationally, 24 schools in San Diego County) targeting healthy eating habits, increased physical activity, and a non-smoking lifestyle. Goals were met by improving the school cafeteria, physical education programs, health curricula, and establishing a non-smoking school district environment. A parent component is included, and parents have been kept updated on their child's risk factor profile for cardiovascular disease, grades 3, 5 and 8. Current results have shown a significant decrease in fat and sodium intake in CATCH students, and a 50% increase in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Now that results have been published by the Journal of the American Medical Association, Preventive Medicine, and Journal of School Health, CATCH is available to interested schools and districts nationwide.