Lifestyle changes after a health dialogue. Results from the Live for Life health promotion programme.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of a health dialogue on lifestyle habits, and to relate the lifestyle changes to changes of biological risk markers for ischaemic heart disease.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study, intervention and follow-up.


METHODS
The community of Habo, population 9500, located in Skaraborg, Sweden.


METHODS
All 35-year-old inhabitants in Habo were invited to a health examination during a study period between 1989 and 1992. A community intervention programme was combined with a health examination consisting of a health dialogue with a specially trained nurse and use of a "health curve" as an educational tool. The effect of the health examination was examined by comparing baseline characteristics of participants in 1989-1992 with their follow-up data in 1993.


RESULTS
Participants in the health dialogue who were re-examined reported lifestyle improvements including less smoking, decreased dietary fat intake and increased physical activity. Those who reported improved dietary intake and increased physical activity improved their biological risk markers correspondingly (body mass index, waist to hip ratio, serum cholesterol concentration).


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of a community and an individually based health programme can be effective with respect to lifestyle variables and, in those improving their lifestyle, in biological risk markers.
Lingfors
Hans
H
Health Centre of Habo and Development Unit for Primary Health Care, Jönköping, Sweden. hans.lingfors@lj.se
Lindström
Kjell
K
Persson
Lars-Göran
LG
Bengtsson
Calle
C
Lissner
Lauren
L
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D013548:Sweden
D015415:Biomarkers