scholarly journals Changes in diet and physical activity resulting from the Strong Hearts, Healthy Communities randomized cardiovascular disease risk reduction multilevel intervention trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara C. Folta ◽  
Lynn Paul ◽  
Miriam E. Nelson ◽  
David Strogatz ◽  
Meredith Graham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Diet And Physical Activity

Abstract Background Women living in rural areas face unique challenges in achieving a heart-healthy lifestyle that are related to multiple levels of the social-ecological framework. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in diet and physical activity, which are secondary outcomes of a community-based, multilevel cardiovascular disease risk reduction intervention designed for women in rural communities. Methods Strong Hearts, Healthy Communities was a six-month, community-randomized trial conducted in 16 rural towns in Montana and New York, USA. Sedentary women aged 40 and older with overweight and obesity were recruited. Intervention participants (eight towns) attended twice weekly exercise and nutrition classes for 24 weeks (48 total). Individual-level components included aerobic exercise, progressive strength training, and healthy eating practices; a civic engagement component was designed to address social and built environment factors to support healthy lifestyles. The control group (eight towns) attended didactic healthy lifestyle classes monthly (six total). Dietary and physical activity data were collected at baseline and post-intervention. Dietary data were collected using automated self-administered 24-h dietary recalls, and physical activity data were collected by accelerometry and self-report. Data were analyzed using multilevel linear regression models with town as a random effect. Results At baseline, both groups fell short of meeting many recommendations for cardiovascular health. Compared to the control group, the intervention group realized significant improvements in intake of fruit and vegetables combined (difference: 0.6 cup equivalents per day, 95% CI 0.1 to 1.1, p = .026) and in vegetables alone (difference: 0.3 cup equivalents per day, 95% CI 0.1 to 0.6, p = .016). For physical activity, there were no statistically significant between-group differences based on accelerometry. By self-report, the intervention group experienced a greater increase in walking MET minutes per week (difference: 113.5 MET-minutes per week, 95% CI 12.8 to 214.2, p = .027). Conclusions Between-group differences in dietary and physical activity behaviors measured in this study were minimal. Future studies should consider how to bolster behavioral outcomes in rural settings and may also continue to explore the value of components designed to enact social and environmental change. Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02499731. Registered 16 July 2015.

scholarly journals Use of the Healthy Lifestyle Coaching Chatbot App to Promote Stair-Climbing Habits Among Office Workers: Exploratory Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/15085 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. e15085 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meihua Piao ◽  
Hyeongju Ryu ◽  
Hyeongsuk Lee ◽  
Jeongeun Kim
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Habit Formation ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Office Workers ◽  
Stair Climbing ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Intrinsic Rewards ◽  
Significant Difference

Background Lack of time for exercise is common among office workers given their busy lives. Because of occupational restrictions and difficulty in taking time off, it is necessary to suggest effective ways for workers to exercise regularly. Sustaining lifestyle habits that increase nonexercise activity in daily life can solve the issue of lack of exercise time. Healthy Lifestyle Coaching Chatbot is a messenger app based on the habit formation model that can be used as a tool to provide a health behavior intervention that emphasizes the importance of sustainability and involvement. Objective This study aimed to assess the efficacy of the Healthy Lifestyle Coaching Chatbot intervention presented via a messenger app aimed at stair-climbing habit formation for office workers. Methods From February 1, 2018, to April 30, 2018, a total of 106 people participated in the trial after online recruitment. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n=57) or the control group (n=49). The intervention group received cues and intrinsic and extrinsic rewards for the entire 12 weeks. However, the control group did not receive intrinsic rewards for the first 4 weeks and only received all rewards as in the intervention group from the fifth to twelfth week. The Self-Report Habit Index (SRHI) of participants was evaluated every week, and the level of physical activity was measured at the beginning and end of the trial. SPSS Statistics version 21 (IBM Corp) was used for statistical analysis. Results After 4 weeks of intervention without providing the intrinsic rewards in the control group, the change in SRHI scores was 13.54 (SD 14.99) in the intervention group and 6.42 (SD 9.42) in the control group, indicating a significant difference between the groups (P=.04). When all rewards were given to both groups, from the fifth to twelfth week, the change in SRHI scores of the intervention and control groups was comparable at 12.08 (SD 10.87) and 15.88 (SD 13.29), respectively (P=.21). However, the level of physical activity showed a significant difference between the groups after 12 weeks of intervention (P=.045). Conclusions This study provides evidence that intrinsic rewards are important to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of an intervention. The Healthy Lifestyle Coaching Chatbot program can be a cost-effective method for healthy habit formation. Trial Registration Clinical Research Information Service KCT0004009; https://tinyurl.com/w4oo7md

scholarly journals Effects of a school-based intervention to reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors among secondary school students: a cluster randomized controlled trial

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Amoah ◽  
Salmiah Md S ◽  
Lekhraj Rampal ◽  
Rosliza A Manaf ◽  
Normala Ibrahim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
School Students

Abstract Background Globally, cardiovascular disease (CVD) was responsible for 17.5 million deaths, accounting for 46.2% non-communicable disease deaths. In Ghana CVDs has been the leading cause of adult death since 2001. Prevalence of CVD risk factors among adolescents in Ghana has been increasing. Objective of this study was to develop, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of a health education intervention program to reduce CVD risk factors among students. Methods A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted with a school as cluster over a period of six-months with pre and post intervention evaluations. Participants were public secondary school students (14-19 years) from four schools in Brong Ahafo, Ghana. Students in the intervention group were trained by the researchers whereas those of the control group received no intervention. The intervention included health education and physical activity modules. Follow-up data using same questionnaire were collected within two weeks after the intervention was completed. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed after replacing missing values using multiple imputation method. The generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) was used to assess the effects of the intervention. Results Of the 848 study participants, 836 completed the final assessment at six-month. The GLMM showed the intervention was significant in attaining 0.77(p<0.001), 0.72(p<0.001), 0.47(p<0.001), 0.56(p<0.001), and 0.39(p=0.045) higher physical activity, fruits, vegetables, seafood, and water scores respectively for the intervention group over the control group. The intervention was also significant in reducing -0.15(p<0.001), -0.23(p<0.001), -0.50(p<0.001), -0.32(p<0.001), -0.90(p<0.001),-0.87(p<0.001),-0.38(p<0.001),-0.63(p<0.001),-1.63(p<0.001),-0.61(p<0.001),and -1.53(p=0.005) carbohydrates, fats and oils, fried eggs, fried chicken, carbonated drinks, sugar, sweet snacks, salted fish, weight, BMI, and diastolic BP. The ‘’odds’’ of quitting alcohol use in the intervention group was 1.06 times more than in control group. There was no significant effect of the intervention on reducing systolic BP. Conclusions The intervention had positive effect on increasing physical activity, promoting healthy diet, reducing alcohol consumption, weight, BMI, and diastolic BP among students in the intervention arm of the study but had no effect on systolic BP. Findings from this study is recommended to be adopted in the educational curricula in secondary schools. Keywords: Cardiovascular disease, risk factors, behavioral modification intervention, secondary school students, adolescents

scholarly journals Use of the Healthy Lifestyle Coaching Chatbot App to Promote Stair-Climbing Habits Among Office Workers: Exploratory Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meihua Piao ◽  
Hyeongju Ryu ◽  
Hyeongsuk Lee ◽  
Jeongeun Kim
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Habit Formation ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Office Workers ◽  
Stair Climbing ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Intrinsic Rewards ◽  
Significant Difference

BACKGROUND Lack of time for exercise is common among office workers given their busy lives. Because of occupational restrictions and difficulty in taking time off, it is necessary to suggest effective ways for workers to exercise regularly. Sustaining lifestyle habits that increase nonexercise activity in daily life can solve the issue of lack of exercise time. Healthy Lifestyle Coaching Chatbot is a messenger app based on the habit formation model that can be used as a tool to provide a health behavior intervention that emphasizes the importance of sustainability and involvement. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the efficacy of the Healthy Lifestyle Coaching Chatbot intervention presented via a messenger app aimed at stair-climbing habit formation for office workers. METHODS From February 1, 2018, to April 30, 2018, a total of 106 people participated in the trial after online recruitment. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n=57) or the control group (n=49). The intervention group received cues and intrinsic and extrinsic rewards for the entire 12 weeks. However, the control group did not receive intrinsic rewards for the first 4 weeks and only received all rewards as in the intervention group from the fifth to twelfth week. The Self-Report Habit Index (SRHI) of participants was evaluated every week, and the level of physical activity was measured at the beginning and end of the trial. SPSS Statistics version 21 (IBM Corp) was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS After 4 weeks of intervention without providing the intrinsic rewards in the control group, the change in SRHI scores was 13.54 (SD 14.99) in the intervention group and 6.42 (SD 9.42) in the control group, indicating a significant difference between the groups (<i>P</i>=.04). When all rewards were given to both groups, from the fifth to twelfth week, the change in SRHI scores of the intervention and control groups was comparable at 12.08 (SD 10.87) and 15.88 (SD 13.29), respectively (<i>P</i>=.21). However, the level of physical activity showed a significant difference between the groups after 12 weeks of intervention (<i>P</i>=.045). CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence that intrinsic rewards are important to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of an intervention. The Healthy Lifestyle Coaching Chatbot program can be a cost-effective method for healthy habit formation. CLINICALTRIAL Clinical Research Information Service KCT0004009; https://tinyurl.com/w4oo7md

scholarly journals The impact of a gender-specific physical activity intervention on the fitness and fatness profile of men in Ireland

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 1154-1160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liam Kelly ◽  
Michael Harrison ◽  
Noel Richardson ◽  
Paula Carroll ◽  
Steve Robertson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Aerobic Fitness ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Unhealthy Lifestyle ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Gender Specific

Abstract Background Amid increasing concerns about rising obesity rates and unhealthy lifestyle behaviours, physical activity (PA) is seen as a prophylactic to many chronic conditions affecting men. Men respond best to community-based PA programmes, using gender-specific promotional and delivery strategies. ‘Men on the Move’ (MOM) was developed on this basis and targeted inactive adult men in Ireland. Methods Sedentary men (n = 927; age = 50.7 ± 10.9 years; weight = 92.7 ± 16.0 kg; METS = 6.06 ± 2.13) were recruited across eight counties: four ‘intervention group’ (IG; n = 501) and four ‘comparison-in-waiting group’ (CG; n = 426). The MOM programme involved structured group exercise twice weekly for 12 weeks (W), along with health-related workshops with the groups maintained up to 52 W. Primary outcome measures [aerobic fitness, bodyweight and waist circumference (WC)] together with self-administered questionnaires were used to gather participant data at baseline, 12, 26 and 52 W. Results Results show a net positive effect on aerobic fitness, bodyweight and WC, with significant (P &lt; 0.05) net change scores observed in the IG compared to the CG (METS: 12 W = +2.20, 26 W = +1.89, 52 W = +0.92; weight: 12 W = −1.72 kg, 26 W = −1.95 kg, 52 W = −1.89 kg; WC: 12 W = −4.54 cm, 26 W = −2.69 cm, 52 W = −3.16 cm). The corresponding reduction in cardiovascular disease risk is particularly significant in the context of a previously inactive and overweight cohort. The high ‘dropout’ (42.7% presenting at 52 W), however, is of particular concern, with ‘dropouts’ having lower levels of aerobic fitness and higher bodyweight/WC at baseline. Conclusions Notwithstanding dropout issues, findings address an important gap in public health practice by informing the translational scale-up of a small controllable gender-specific PA intervention, MOM, to a national population-based PA intervention targeting inactive men.

scholarly journals Physical Activity and Physical Competence in Overweight and Obese Children: An Intervention Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (17) ◽  
pp. 6370
Author(s):  
Milena Morano ◽  
Claudio Robazza ◽  
Laura Bortoli ◽  
Irene Rutigliano ◽  
Montse C. Ruiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Clinical Intervention ◽  
After School ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Physical Competence ◽  
Physical Ability ◽  
Physical Abilities ◽  
Multicomponent Program

With the current obesity epidemic and the decline of fitness among school-aged children, the importance of obesity interventions to promote physical activity and healthy habits has become indisputable. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a school-based multicomponent intervention in increasing physical activity (PA) levels, actual physical abilities, and perceived physical abilities in clinical and nonclinical samples of overweight/obese boys and girls aged 10–12 years. The clinical intervention group (n = 35) participated in a 7-month after-school program in addition to curricular physical education lessons, while the nonclinical control group (n = 29) received usual curricular lessons. Measures included levels of PA and fitness and individual’s perceptions of physical ability. After treatment, the intervention group showed improved PA levels, perceived physical ability, and throwing and jumping task performances compared to the control group. Results indicate that a multicomponent program can improve levels of PA, fitness, and perceived competence of overweight participants. Findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive healthy lifestyle program that includes physical, psychosocial, and behavioral factors and suggest practical implications for educators, trainers, and teachers in identifying best practices targeting childhood obesity.

Efficacy of an E-Mail Intervention for the Promotion of Physical Activity and Nutrition Behavior in the Workplace Context

2005 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 422-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald C. Plotnikoff ◽  
Linda J. McCargar ◽  
Philip M. Wilson ◽  
Constantinos A. Loucaides
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Mode Of Delivery ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Nutrition Behavior ◽  
Nutrition Messages ◽  
Mail Address ◽  
E Mail

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a 12-week workplace e-mail intervention designed to promote physical activity and nutrition behavior. Design. A pre- and post-test design was conducted to compare the effects of e-mail messages between intervention and control groups. Setting. Five large workplaces in Alberta, Canada. Subjects. Employees with access to a personal e-mail address (N = 2121) were randomly assigned to an intervention (n = 1566) or a control group (n = 555). Intervention. Physical activity and nutrition messages were based on social-cognitive theories. The intervention group received one physical activity and one parallel nutrition message per week for 12 weeks. The control group received no weekly messages. Measures. Each participant completed self-report measures of physical activity and nutrition related to knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors 1 week before (time 1) and 1 week after (time 2) the intervention. Results. The intervention group was more efficacious at time 2 on measures of self-efficacy, pros, cons, intentions, and behavior related to physical activity. This group also reported more favorable changes in practicing healthy eating, balancing food intake with activity level, cooking meals with techniques to reduce fat, and avoiding eating high-fat foods. Effect sizes for all significant differences were small. Conclusion. E-mail is a promising mode of delivery for promoting physical activity and nutrition in the workplace. Further theoretically driven studies are needed.

scholarly journals Consumption of melatonin supplement improves cardiovascular disease risk factors and anthropometric indices in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hadi Bazyar ◽  
Ahmad Zare Javid ◽  
Hossein Bavi Behbahani ◽  
Fardin Moradi ◽  
Bahman Moradi Poode ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Anthropometric Indices ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Conicity Index

Abstract Background: Diabetes mellitus is a common chronic disease. Dyslipidemia and hypertension are two complications that may develop in diabetic patients if hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and weight gain are not controlled. This study investigated the effects of melatonin supplementation on some cardiovascular disease risk factors and anthropometric indices in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Materials and Methods: In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 50 T2DM patients were randomly allocated to intervention and control groups which received two tablets of either melatonin or placebo (250 mg) once a day for eight weeks. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulse pressure (PP), the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), weight, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference (WC, HC), body shape index (ABSI), abdominal volume index (AVI), body adiposity index (BAI), lipid accumulation product (LAP), conicity index, and waist-to-height ratio (WHR) were evaluated in all the patients pre- and post-intervention.Results: Melatonin supplementation for eight weeks significantly decreased the mean levels of MAP, PP, weight, BMI, WC, HC, BAI, AVI, conicity index, and WHR post-intervention (p<0.05). Also, the median changes of MAP, PP, weight, BMI, WC, HC BAI, AVI, and conicity index were significantly lower in the intervention group compared with the control group (p<0.05). A significant increase (p<0.001) was observed in the mean levels of ABSI in the intervention group. The median changes of ABSI were significantly greater in the intervention group compared with the control group (p<0.001).Conclusions: Consumption of melatonin supplement may be effective in controlling arterial pressure and anthropometric indices (as predictors of obesity) in T2DM patients.Trial registration: This trial was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials website at 2019/5/17. (IRCT20190303042905N1).

scholarly journals Awareness of Lifestyle and Colorectal Cancer Risk: Findings from the BeWEL Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annie S. Anderson ◽  
Stephen Caswell ◽  
Maureen Macleod ◽  
Angela M. Craigie ◽  
Martine Stead ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Knowledge Score ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Diet And Physical Activity ◽  
And Control

It is estimated that 47% of colorectal cancers (CRC) could be prevented by appropriate lifestyles. This study aimed to identify awareness of the causes of CRC in patients who had been diagnosed with a colorectal adenoma through the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme and subsequently enrolled in an intervention trial (using diet and physical activity education and behavioural change techniques) (BeWEL). At baseline and 12-month follow-up, participants answered an open-ended question on factors influencing CRC development. Of the 329 participants at baseline, 40 (12%) reported that they did not know any risk factors and 36 (11%) failed to identify specific factors related to diet and activity. From a potential knowledge score of 1 to 6, the mean score was 1.5 (SD 1.1, range 0 to 5) with no difference between intervention and control groups. At follow-up, the intervention group had a significantly greater knowledge score and better weight loss, diet, and physical activity measures than the control group. Awareness of relevant lifestyle factors for CRC remains low in people at increased risk of the disease. Opportunities within routine NHS screening to aid the capability (including knowledge of risk factors) of individuals to make behavioural changes to reduce CRC risk deserve exploration.

scholarly journals Article Commentary: Improvements in the Measurement of Physical Activity in Childhood Obesity Research; Lessons from Large Studies of Accelerometers

2008 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. CMPed.S1127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Calum Mattocks ◽  
Kate Tilling ◽  
Andy Ness ◽  
Chris Riddoch
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
The United States ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Chronic Disease Risk

Advances in technology have improved our ability to measure physical activity in free-living humans. In the last few years, several large epidemiological studies in Europe and the United States have used accelerometers to assess physical activity in children and adolescents. The use of accelerometers to study physical activity has presented some challenges on how to summarise and interpret the data that they generate, however these studies are providing important information on the levels and patterns of physical activity among children and adolescents. Some studies have reported that few children and adolescents appear to meet the recommended minimum of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day. Accelerometers have also allowed examination of the relationships between physical activity and health outcomes like obesity and other chronic disease risk factors such as insulin resistance, aerobic fitness, blood lipids and blood pressure. Use of accelerometers allows such relationships to be estimated with a precision that was previously impossible with self-report measures of physical activity. Such information is already advancing our understanding of the role that physical activity plays in preventing childhood obesity and cardiovascular disease risk.

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