The Minnesota Heart Health Program (MHHP) is a research intervention program designed to reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors through education in communities in the North-Central United States. This 13-year program was funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The Class of 1989 Study was a five-year school-based education program under the MHHP implemented to promote physical activity among school-age children. Students were enrolled into the education program in sixth through 10th grade and followed through graduation.

The Class of 1989 Study was based on social learning theory and focused to address risk factors related to physical inactivity. Peer leaders encouraged exercise outside classroom, healthy eating, and increased awareness of student’s well-being as well as environmental influences. Peer leaders set goals and promoted working as a group. Competition with other classrooms reinforced the behavior to engage in the intended regular physical activity.

The goal of the Class of 1989 Study was to reduce risk factors for physical inactivity and promote long-term healthy behavior outcomes among children.

The communities receiving the program were compared to reference communities matched for socioeconomic status, population size and distance to Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN. The baseline for physical activities outcome at 6th grade was not significantly different between comparing communities. Throughout the seventh to 12th grade follow-up period, females in the intervention group were reported significantly higher hours of exercise per week (p<0.05) compared to those not enrolled in the program, while no statistical difference was observed among males. In addition, females retained higher level of vigorous activity than the reference group (p<0.05). For males, the level of vigorous activity was higher than females but was not statistically different from their reference group. The overall outcome suggested that school-based education program can reinforce higher level of physical activity among children and that outcomes can be sustained over time.