With the current incidence of obesity increasing worldwide, it is becoming more and more important that individuals not only become aware of the importance of proper nutrition and exercise as part of a healthier lifestyle, but also have access to appropriate programs. Most such programs are run from dedicated facilities or involve group meetings at rotating sites. These work well for people that can make these meetings; however, many individuals are either unwilling or unable to take part in group programs like these. Home-based programs might offer a viable alternative for many of these individuals.
A new research paper (free to download) published online in the Journal of Obesity examined the effectiveness of a home-based nutrition and physical activity program designed for seniors (average age = 72 years). The program was a 12-week intervention designed by dietitians and physical activity experts. The major components of the program consisted of a targeted, interactive booklet that was mailed to the study participants and follow-up telephone support. The interactive booklet contained information on health benefits of proper nutrition and exercise, physical activity guidelines, dietary guidelines, recipes, and more. Telephone calls to the study volunteers were designed to assist with goal setting, check on progress, and provide positive reinforcement. The results of this study demonstrated that a home-based program could be effective. While the control group (individuals who did not use the program) showed a decrease in time devoted to walking for errands, a decrease in recreational walking, and no change in dietary habits, the volunteers using the home-based program maintained their level of walking for errands, increased their recreational walking by almost 30 minutes per week, and increased their fiber intake.
While this particular study was targeted towards seniors, this study demonstrates that a well-designed and supported home-based nutrition and exercise program can increase awareness of the importance of diet and exercise as well as improve healthy living habits of individuals who utilize such a program. Previous studies have reported that phone and email consultation can support healthy weight management in overweight workers and in rural settings. Overall, these studies suggest that a targeted, well-designed nutrition and exercise program can effectively promote a healthier lifestyle and weight management.
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