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 .
Effectiveness of a Home-Based Postal and Telephone Physical Activity and Nutrition Pilot Program for Seniors
Objective . To evaluate the effectiveness of a 12-week home-based postal and telephone physical activity and nutrition pilot program for seniors . Methods . The program was delivered by mailed material and telephone calls . The main intervention consisted of a booklet tailored for seniors containing information on dietary guidelines , recommended physical activity levels , and goal setting . Dietary and walking activity outcomes were collected via a self-administered postal question naire pre- and postintervention and analysed using linear mixed regressions . Of the 270 seniors recruited , half were r and omly selected for the program while others served as the control group . Results . The program elicited favourable responses . Postintervention walking for exercise/recreation showed an average gain of 27 minutes per week for the participants in contrast to an average drop of 5 minutes for the controls ( P < .01 ) . Little change was evident in err and walking for both groups . The intervention group ( n = 114 ) demonstrated a significant increase in fibre intake ( P < .01 ) but no reduction in fat intake ( P > .05 ) compared to controls ( n = 134 ) . Conclusions . The participants became more aware of their health and wellbeing after the pilot program , which was successful in increasing time spent walking for recreation and improving fibre intake
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 .