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Effects of the mediterranean lifestyle program on multiple risk behaviors and psychosocial outcomes among women at risk for heart disease

Annals of Behavioral Medicine volume 29, pages 128–137 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

Background: The Mediterranean Lifestyle Program was evaluated for its effects on multiple behavioral risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) among postmenopausal women with diabetes.Purpose: Our purpose is to test a comprehensive lifestyle management intervention to reduce CHD risk in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes.Methods: Participants (N = 279) were randomized to usual care (UC) or Mediterranean Lifestyle Program, a lifestyle change intervention aimed at the behavioral risk factors (eating patterns, physical activity, stress management, and social support) affecting risk for CHD in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes.Results: In original and intent-to-treat analyses, Mediterranean Lifestyle Program participants showed significantly greater improvement in dietary behaviors, physical activity, stress management, perceived support, and weight loss at 6 months compared to UC.Conclusions: This study demonstrated the effectiveness of the Mediterranean Lifestyle Program in improving self-care among women with type 2 diabetes, showed that postmenopausal women could make comprehensive lifestyle changes, and provided evidence that a program using social-cognitive strategies and peer support can be used to modify multiple lifestyle behaviors.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oregon Research Institute, 1715 Franklin Boulevard, 97403-1983, Eugene, OR

    Deborah J. Toobert Ph.D. & Lisa A. Strycker M.A.

  2. Kaiser Permanente Colorado Clinical Research Unit, USA

    Russell E. Glasgow Ph.D.

  3. Arizona State University, USA

    Manuel Barrera Ph.D. & Karyn Angell Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Deborah J. Toobert Ph.D.
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  2. Lisa A. Strycker M.A.
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  3. Russell E. Glasgow Ph.D.
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  4. Manuel Barrera Ph.D.
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  5. Karyn Angell Ph.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Deborah J. Toobert Ph.D..

Additional information

The work reported here was supported by Grant R01 HL62156 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. We thank Kate Bennett, SuAn Carey, Melda DeSalvo, Katie Geiser, Nancy Hopps, Sally Huck, Molly Kennedy, Tamberly Koorndyk, Katie Marcotte, Donna O’Neill, Janice Radcliffe, and Serge Renaud for their contributions during the development and intervention phases of this project. We are deeply indebted to the wonderful women who participated in this study.

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Toobert, D.J., Strycker, L.A., Glasgow, R.E. et al. Effects of the mediterranean lifestyle program on multiple risk behaviors and psychosocial outcomes among women at risk for heart disease. ann. behav. med. 29, 128–137 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1207/s15324796abm2902_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1207/s15324796abm2902_7

Keywords

  • Usual Care
  • Behavioral Medicine
  • Coronary Heart Disease Risk
  • Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factor
  • Multiple Risk Behavior