Childhood Prevention of Atherosclerosis and Hypertension [antikvár]

Preface Medical practices concerned with child health have traditionally been involved with preventive measures. The preventive activities have involved not only physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals, but also the practices of parents and their children. These measures have included a spectrum of activities including infectious disease prevention, child rearing practices, accident and poison prevention, and the administration of adequate nutrition to expectant mothers and to infants and children. The result of such activities have resulted in both a dramatic improvement in childhood morbidity and mortality and also in improved adult health. Atherosclerosis and hypertension are diseases that result in premature death and disability in adults throughout the world. These disorders are now the commonest causes of death in industrialized nations and are suspected to have their origins in childhood. Recent studies indicate that preventive measures related to genetic, environmental, and nutritional factors may have the potential to prevent the origins of these disorders in the young. This volume reviews some of the evidence related to the earliest origins of atherosclerosis and hypertension, and attempts to focus upon areas which may result in strategies for prevention. The scientific issues are complex, however, and marked differences of opinion exist about the implications of this evidence for clinical practice and public health. The main purpose for the present volume is to bring this evidence and the varying interpretations together in one place where they might be viewed as a whole. Emphasis is on nutrition, obesity, cigarette smoking, and blood pressure, as well as on tactics for modifying the social environment to reduce the risk factors for atherosclerosis in a population. Chapters present sociological and cross-cultural studies of diet and results of projects aimed at reducing cardiovascular risks in community populations. This volume will be of interest to cardiologists, internists, pediatricians, epidemiologists and all who are concerned with child and community health.