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 diet and exercise in pregnancy with Video Doctor counseling: a randomized trial.
OBJECTIVE To determine if an interactive , computerized Video Doctor counseling tool improves self-reported diet and exercise in pregnant women . METHODS A r and omized trial comparing a Video Doctor intervention to usual care in ethnically diverse , low-income , English-speaking pregnant women was conducted . Brief messages about diet , exercise , and weight gain were delivered by an actor-portrayed Video Doctor twice during pregnancy . RESULTS In the  Video Doctor group ( n=158 ) , there were statistically significant increases from baseline in exercise ( + 28 min ) , intake of fruits and vegetables , whole grains , fish , avocado and nuts , and significant decreases in intake of sugary foods , refined grains , high fat meats , fried foods , solid fats , and fast food . In contrast , there were no changes from baseline for any of these outcomes in the usual care group ( n=163 ) . Nutrition knowledge improved significantly over time in both groups but more so in the Video Doctor group . Clinician-patient discussion s about these topics occurred significantly more frequently in the Video Doctor group . There was no difference in weight gain between groups . CONCLUSION A brief Video Doctor intervention can improve exercise and dietary behaviors in pregnant women . PRACTICE IMPLICATION S The Video Doctor can be integrated into prenatal care to assist clinicians with effective diet and exercise counseling
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 .