Journal article
Dark chocolate for children's blood pressure: Randomised trial
EK Chan, J Quach, FK Mensah, V Sung, M Cheung, M Wake
Archives of Disease in Childhood | Published : 2012
Abstract
Background: Higher adult blood pressure, even without hypertension, predicts cardiovascular outcomes, and is predicted by childhood blood pressure. Regular dark chocolate intake lowers blood pressure in adults, but effects in children are unknown. Aim: To examine the feasibility of school-based provision of dark chocolate and its short-term effi cacy in reducing mean group blood pressure. Methods: 194 children (aged 10-12 years) were randomised by class to intervention (7 g dark chocolate daily for 7 weeks, n=124) or control (n=70) groups; 98% and 93% provided baseline and follow-up measurements, respectively. Results: Intervention and control students had similar systolic (mean difference 1..
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Funding Acknowledgements
"ChocHealth for Kids!" was funded by The Centre for Community Child Health and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute (MCRI). MCRI research is supported by the Victorian Government's Operational Infrastructure Program. Drs Mensah, Quach and Wake are all supported by the Australian National Health & Medical Research Council.