Volunteering and Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents
- Conditions
- Cardiovascular Risk Factors
- Interventions
- Behavioral: Volunteering
- Registration Number
- NCT01698034
- Lead Sponsor
- University of British Columbia
- Brief Summary
This study tested whether getting youth engaged in helping others (volunteering) would benefit youth's physical health. 106 predominantly minority and low socioeconomic status (SES) youth were randomized to either volunteer weekly with elementary school children in after school programs or to a wait-list control group. The investigators hypothesized that cardiovascular risk markers of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), total cholesterol, and body mass index (BMI) would be lower at post-intervention (4 months after baseline) in the volunteer group compared to the control group. The investigators also hypothesized that the intervention might work through pathways such as reducing negative mood, improving self esteem, and increasing prosocial behaviors (empathy, altruism).
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 106
- 10th grade high school student
- English speaking
- No chronic illnesses
- Chronic medical illness
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Volunteering Volunteering Weekly volunteering with elementary school children in after school programs
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Body mass index Baseline-adjusted post-intervention scores at 4 months C-reactive protein Baseline-adjusted post-intervention scores at 4 months Interleukin-6 Baseline-adjusted post-intervention scores at 4 months Total Cholesterol Baseline-adjusted post-intervention scores at 4 months
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Vancouver Technical Secondary School
🇨🇦Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada