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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #230183
Title: The StrongWomen – Healthy Hearts Program: Reducing Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Rural Sedentary, Overweight, and Obese Midlife and Older Women.

Author
item FOLTA, SARA - TUFTS UNIVERSITY
item Lichtenstein, Alice
item SEQUIN, REBECCA - TUFTS UNIVERSITY
item GOLDBERG, JEANNE - TUFTS UNIVERSITY
item NELSON, MIRIAM - TUFTS UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: American Journal of Public Health
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/17/2008
Publication Date: 7/1/2009
Citation: Folta, S.C., Lichtenstein, A.H., Sequin, R.A., Goldberg, J.P., Nelson, M.E. 2009. The StrongWomen – Healthy Hearts Program: Reducing Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Rural Sedentary, Overweight, and Obese Midlife and Older Women. American Journal of Public Health. 99:1271-1277.

Interpretive Summary: We tested a community-based intervention to reduce heart disease risk in sedentary, overweight and obese older women. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 8 counties in Arkansas and Kansas. Counties were randomly assigned to the intervention or delayed intervention control group. Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Services (CSREES) agents delivered the intervention. Subjects participated in a twice-weekly heart health program for 12-weeks. Weight, waist circumference, diet, physical activity, and self-efficacy were measured pre- and post-intervention. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. Compared with control subjects, intervention group subjects significantly decreased their body weight, waist circumference, and energy intake; and an increased their intake of fruit and vegetable (servings/day) and steps taken (per day). Self-efficacy for dietary and physical activity behaviors increased significantly in the intervention group compared with the control group. Despite numerous clinical trials to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, very few community-based interventions have been tested. These data suggest that a community-based program can improve self-efficacy, physical activity, and dietary behaviors, resulting in weight loss in at-risk women.

Technical Abstract: Objectives. We tested a community-based intervention to reduce heart disease risk in sedentary, overweight and obese older women. Methods. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 8 counties in Arkansas and Kansas. Counties were randomly assigned to the intervention or delayed intervention control. Subjects participated in a twice-weekly heart health program for 12-weeks. Weight, waist circumference, diet, physical activity, and self-efficacy were measured pre- and post-intervention. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. Results. Compared with controls, intervention group subjects had a significant decrease in body weight (-2.0 kg; 95% CI -2.9 to -1.1), waist circumference (-2.2 inches; 95% CI -4.2 to -0.2), and energy intake (-367 kcals/day; 95% CI -568 to -165); and an increase in fruit and vegetable servings/day (0.8 servings; 95% CI 0.2 to 1.5) and steps taken per day (1812 steps; 95% CI 801 to 2823). Self-efficacy for dietary and physical activity behaviors increased significantly in the intervention group compared with controls. Conclusions. Despite numerous clinical trials to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, very few community-based interventions have been tested. These data suggest that a community-based program can improve self-efficacy, physical activity, and dietary behaviors, resulting in weight loss in at-risk women.