Sara C. Folta ^1*, Alice H. Lichtenstein ¹, Rebecca A. Seguin ¹, Jeanne P. Goldberg ¹, Julia F. Kuder ², Miriam E. Nelson ¹

¹ Tufts University
² Tufts

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: sara.folta{at}tufts.edu.

	Abstract

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.

Key Words: Aging, Cardiovascular Disease, Exercise/Physical Activity, Health Promotion, Nutrition/Food, Obesity, Overweight, Underweight

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