title: Participant perceptions of a community-based lifestyle intervention: the CHIP.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Coronary Health Improvement Project (CHIP) is a community-based educational initiative designed to improve cardiovascular fitness and other health indicators associated with common, lifestyle-related health disorders in developed societies. Evaluations of the CHIP since the late 1990s, though yielding positive statistical results for change in participant physical health indicators, have not included qualitative assessments of the CHIP experience from the perspectives of CHIP participants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were obtained using a mixed methods survey design via a questionnaire completed by 79 respondents (71% female) who had participated in Australian CHIP programs. Responses were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants commonly undertook the CHIP to fulfil their lifestyle and health aspirations and to target specific health conditions. Improved diet, enhanced exercise and weight loss were the most commonly reported benefits. Participation in the CHIP involves a process of conviction (involving risks and motivation), connection (involving support and reinforcement), challenge (involving control and struggle) and change (involving more and less).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study offers a model of a change process generated from the perspectives of participants of the CHIP in Australia. Not all participants found CHIP lifestyle recommendations straightforward to adopt, as some encountered resistance from within themselves or from family and friends.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Western Sydney, Australia. e.chang@uws.edu.au
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bidewell
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brownhill
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Farnsworth
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Diehl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D001786:Blood Glucose; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids