title: Physical activity and nutrition programs for couples: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: Diet and physical activity habits may deteriorate after cohabitation, leading to weight gain and increased risk of lifestyle diseases. We carried out a 4-month, randomized controlled trial of a diet and physical activity program for couples with a 1-year follow-up, comparing two methods of delivery. The program used six modules, which, after an initial group session, were mailed to the low-level intervention group. In the high-level intervention group, half of the modules were mailed, and the others were delivered at interactive group sessions. A control group received no intervention. Postintervention and at follow-up, physical fitness improved in the high-level group, saturated fat intake decreased in both intervention groups, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol fell in the high-level group. Fewer participants in the high-level group became overweight or obese. Health promotion for couples can improve health behaviors and potentially lower the risk of lifestyle diseases in participants and their future families.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital and Heartsearch, 50 Murray Street, 6000, Perth, Australia. vburke@cyllene.uwa.edu.au <vburke@cyllene.uwa.edu.au>
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: Nella
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Giangiulio
authors.forename: Helen F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Gillam
authors.forename: Lawrie J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Beilin
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Houghton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D019546:Couples Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D014904:Western Australia
chemical_list: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D002784:Cholesterol