title: A family history intervention: enhancing cardiovascular risk assessment.
abstract: This article describes the effect of individualized counseling using family history data and objective cardiovascular risk factors on intent to change and actual exercise behavior in a diverse sample of working adults. Using a longitudinal, quasi-experimental, crossover design, objective data (blood lipids, glucose, blood pressure, and body mass index) and subjective data (awareness of heart disease risk, depression, spirituality, and knowledge of family history) were collected from 91 (mostly female and with a mean age of 45 years) primary and secondary teachers in a southwestern city. The Transtheoretical Model of Change guided the study and measured intent to exercise. Objective risks in this sample mirrored national indices of risk for obesity and abnormal lipids. Although some participants increased their exercise, no significant differences were found between the groups in exercise behavior at 6 and 12 months. Using knowledge of family history to raise awareness and encourage lifestyle changes related to cardiovascular risk warrants further study.
authors.affiliation: University of the Incarnate Word, School of Nursing and Health Professions, San Antonio, TX, USA. mcneill@uiwtx.edu
authors.forename: Jeanette A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: McNeill
authors.forename: Jennifer D M
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: Marveen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mahon
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Allwein
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rauschhuber
authors.forename: Cynthia O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: Laura R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.forename: Rosanna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Estrada
authors.forename: Mary Elaine
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D005178:Faculty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009785:Occupational Health Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors