A randomized trial of interactive group sessions achieved greater improvements in nutrition and physical activity at a tiny increase in cost.
OBJECTIVE
Weight gain may follow altered eating habits and decreased physical activity in couples beginning to live together. Mutual support and willingness to accept changes in lifestyle at this stage may facilitate positive responses to health promotion. We aimed to compare the effects of a diet and physical activity program in couples using a randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Couples were randomized to a control group or to one of two intervention groups in whom the program was either delivered mainly by mail or with a combination of mail-outs and interactive group sessions.


RESULTS
Diets, physical fitness, and blood cholesterol improved up to 12 months after beginning the 4-month program, mainly in the interactive group. In that group, at the end of the program, the estimated cost was 445.30 dollars (111.33 dollars/month) per participant per unit change in outcome variables, only 0.03 dollars per participant per month more than the group receiving the program mainly by mail. One year after beginning the program, costs per participant per month were 38.37 dollars in the interactive group and 38.22 dollars in the group receiving the program mainly by mail-out.


CONCLUSIONS
The changes observed in cardiovascular risk factors could translate to a substantial cost-savings relating to health.
Dzator
J A
JA
School of Policy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
Hendrie
D
D
Burke
V
V
Gianguilio
N
N
Gillam
H F
HF
Beilin
L J
LJ
Houghton
S
S
D000328:Adult; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*
D002784:Cholesterol