Published in:
01-03-2013 | Synopsis
Multiple health behavior change: a synopsis and comment on “A review of multiple health behavior change interventions for primary prevention”
Authors:
Winter Johnston, BA, Joanna Buscemi, PhD, Michael J Coons, PhD
Published in:
Translational Behavioral Medicine
|
Issue 1/2013
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ABSTRACT
The ninth column on Evidence-Based Behavioral Medicine is a synthesis of a recent systematic meta-review of multiple health behavior change (MHBC) interventions published by Prochaska and Prochaska in the
American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine (Am J Life Med 5:208–221,
2011). Health risk behaviors are highly prevalent and increase the risk of developing and exacerbating chronic disease. The purpose of the meta-review was to examine the efficacy of MHBC interventions in a variety of populations and settings. The available literature was synthesized into three health behavior domains including energy-balance behaviors (physical activity and nutrition), addictive behaviors, and disease-related prevention. Twelve systematic reviews were identified that summarized more than 150 randomized clinical trials. Findings suggest that: (1) Physical activity and nutrition interventions are effective in producing weight loss among adults and female youth, (2) treating two addictive behaviors produces a higher long-term abstinence rate than treating a single behavior, and (3) although preventive interventions for cardiovascular disease and cancer significantly reduce health risk behaviors, reductions in disease incidence are yet to be demonstrated.