Faculty Publications – College of Science and Health
Title
Multiple health behavior change: a synopsis and comment on “A review of multiple health behavior change interventions for primary prevention”
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-14-2013
Abstract
The ninth column on Evidence-Based Behavioral Medicine is a synthesis of a recent systematic meta-review of multiple health behavior change (MHBC) interventions published by Prochaska and Prochaska in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine (Am J Life Med 5:208–221, 2011). Health risk behaviors are highly prevalent and increase the risk of developing and exacerbating chronic disease. The purpose of the meta-review was to examine the efficacy of MHBC interventions in a variety of populations and settings. The available literature was synthesized into three health behavior domains including energy-balance behaviors (physical activity and nutrition), addictive behaviors, and disease-related prevention. Twelve systematic reviews were identified that summarized more than 150 randomized clinical trials. Findings suggest that: (1) Physical activity and nutrition interventions are effective in producing weight loss among adults and female youth, (2) treating two addictive behaviors produces a higher long-term abstinence rate than treating a single behavior, and (3) although preventive interventions for cardiovascular disease and cancer significantly reduce health risk behaviors, reductions in disease incidence are yet to be demonstrated.
Recommended Citation
Winter Johnston, Joanna Buscemi, Michael J Coons, Multiple health behavior change: a synopsis and comment on “A review of multiple health behavior change interventions for primary prevention”, Translational Behavioral Medicine, Volume 3, Issue 1, March 2013, Pages 6–7, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13142-013-0200-9