May 15, 2009Open Access
View Full PaperThe StrongWomen–Healthy Hearts Program: Reducing Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Rural Sedentary, Overweight, and Obese Midlife and Older Women
Key Result
The StrongWomen-Healthy Hearts program significantly decreased body weight (-2.1 kg; 95% CI -3.2 to -1.0) and waist circumference in sedentary, overweight or obese women.
Study Design
Type
RCT
Multicenter
Yes
Structured PICO
Does a 12-week twice-weekly heart health program improve cardiovascular risk factors in sedentary, overweight, and obese midlife and older women?
P
Population
Sedentary, overweight or obese midlife and older women assigned to a 12-week heart health program or delayed-intervention control.
I
Intervention
12-week twice-weekly heart health program (StrongWomen-Healthy Hearts Program).
C
Comparator
Delayed-intervention control group.
O
Outcome
Changes in body weight, waist circumference, diet, physical activity, and self-efficacy measured before and after the intervention.surrogate
A 12-week community-based lifestyle intervention effectively reduces body weight and waist circumference while increasing physical activity in at-risk rural women.
Main Result
Mean Difference: -2.1 (95% CI -3.2–-1)
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.