Preliminary evidence suggests that sequentially changing smoking alongside other risk behaviors was more effective than simultaneous change .
Follow-up period and intervention characteristics impacted effectiveness for some outcomes .
Interventions comprising education ( e.g. , providing information about behaviors associated with health risks ) and skills training ( e.g. , teaching skills that equip participants to engage in less risky behavior ) and targeting multiple risk behaviors concurrently are associated with small changes in diet and physical activity .
Although on average smoking was reduced , it appeared changes in smoking were negatively associated with changes in other behaviors , suggesting it may not be optimal to target smoking simultaneously with other risk behaviors
CONTEXT Multiple risk behaviors are common and associated with developing chronic conditions such as heart disease , cancer , or Type 2 diabetes .
Improving multiple behaviors for colorectal cancer prevention among african american church members.
The WATCH ( Wellness for African Americans Through Churches ) Project was a r and omized trial comparing the effectiveness of 2 strategies to promote colorectal cancer preventive behaviors among 587 African American members of 12 rural North Carolina churches . Using a 2 X 2 factorial research design , the authors compared a tailored print and video ( TPV ) intervention , consisting of 4 individually tailored newsletters and targeted videotapes , with a lay health advisor ( LHA ) intervention . Results showed that the TPV intervention significantly improved ( p < .05 ) fruit and vegetable consumption ( 0.6 servings ) and recreational physical activity ( 2.5 metabolic task equivalents per hour ) and , among those 50 and older ( n = 287 ) , achieved a 15 % increase in fecal occult blood testing screening ( p = .08 ) . The LHA intervention did not prove effective , possibly because of suboptimal reach and diffusion
Preliminary evidence suggests that sequentially changing smoking alongside other risk behaviors was more effective than simultaneous change .
Follow-up period and intervention characteristics impacted effectiveness for some outcomes .
Interventions comprising education ( e.g. , providing information about behaviors associated with health risks ) and skills training ( e.g. , teaching skills that equip participants to engage in less risky behavior ) and targeting multiple risk behaviors concurrently are associated with small changes in diet and physical activity .
Although on average smoking was reduced , it appeared changes in smoking were negatively associated with changes in other behaviors , suggesting it may not be optimal to target smoking simultaneously with other risk behaviors
CONTEXT Multiple risk behaviors are common and associated with developing chronic conditions such as heart disease , cancer , or Type 2 diabetes .