HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: AJPH.2008.145581v1 99/7/1271    most recent Submit a response View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Google Scholar Articles by Folta, S. C. Articles by Nelson, M. E. PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Folta, S. C. Articles by Nelson, M. E. Related Collections Aging Exercise/Physical Activity Obesity, Overweight, Underweight Health Promotion Nutrition/Food Cardiovascular Disease

Sara C. Folta, PhD, Alice H. Lichtenstein, DSc, Rebecca A. Seguin, PhD, Jeanne P. Goldberg, PhD, RD, Julia F. Kuder, MA and Miriam E. Nelson, PhD

Sara C. Folta, Rebecca A. Seguin, Jeanne P. Goldberg, Julia F. Kuder, and Miriam E. Nelson are with the John Hancock Center for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA. Alice H. Lichtenstein is with the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA.

Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Sara C. Folta, PhD, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, 150 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02111 (e-mail: sara.folta{at}tufts.edu).

Objectives. We tested a community-based intervention designed to reduce cardiovascular disease risk in sedentary midlife and older women who were overweight or obese.

Methods. In a randomized controlled trial conducted in 8 counties in Arkansas and Kansas, counties were assigned to the intervention (a 12-week twice-weekly heart health program) group or to the delayed-intervention control group. Ten to fifteen women were selected from each site, and participants' weight, waist circumference, diet, physical activity, and self-efficacy were measured before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed with multiple regressions.

Results. Compared with the control group, participants in the intervention group had a significant decrease in body weight (–2.1 kg; 95% confidence interval [CI] = –3.2, –1.0), waist circumference (–2.3 in; 95% CI = –4.2, –0.5), and energy intake (–390 kcal/day; 95% CI = –598, –183); an increase in activity (+1637 steps/day; 95% CI = 712, 2562); and an increase in self-efficacy for dietary and physical activity behaviors.

Conclusions. Our results suggest that a community-based program can improve self-efficacy, increase physical activity, and decrease energy intake, resulting in decreased waist circumference and body weight among at-risk women.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				Community-Based Interventions Promote Heart-Healthy Behaviors Journal Watch Women's Health, July 16, 2009; 2009(716): 3 - 3. [Full Text]