Definitions of risk:

For the initial intervention study (CHIC I), comparing the classroom-based and risk-based approaches, the following definitions were used to describe risk factors for future CVD in the children. In the risk-based intervention schools, only children with any of these risks received sessions targeted at their specific risk factor(s).  Thus a child in a risk-based intervention school could be assigned to one, two, or three types of intervention sessions each week for the 8 weeks, depending on how many risk factors he had.

• High cholesterol was total cholesterol of greater than or equal to 200 mg/dl.
• Obesity was having both Body Mass Index and Sum of triceps and subscapular skinfolds greater than or equal to the 90th percentile for age and sex by available national norms.
• Low physical fitness was having a predicted maximal oxygen uptake (as determined from a bike test) less than 34 ml/kg/min for girls and less than 39 ml/kg/min for boys.
• At risk for smoking was living in a house where at least one parent smoked or recently quit smoking.