Health professionals' advice to Iowa adults with hypertension using the 2002 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Full Abstract

PURPOSE:
We investigated the prevalence of hypertension-lowering lifestyle-modification advice given to adults living in Iowa. We sought to determine if persons with high blood pressure and those who are overweight receive more advice than do persons with normal blood pressure and a desirable body weight.

METHODS:
By using the 2002 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, we asked Iowa adults with (N=1050) and without (N=2514) high blood pressure five questions relating to the most recent Joint National Committee guidelines on lowering blood pressure. Respondents with high blood pressure were placed into normal weight and overweight categories. Chi-square analysis revealed group differences in amount of advice received. To reflect the true Iowa population, data were weighted by SPSS software.

RESULTS:
Compared with persons without high blood pressure, those with high blood pressure received more lifestyle-modification advice (p < .001) for eating less high-fat or high-cholesterol foods (28.3% vs. 12.5%), eating more fruits and vegetables (35.7% vs. 20.0%), exercising more (37.6% vs. 20.8%), losing weight (19.3% vs. 9.3%), and quitting smoking (80.5% vs. 64.6%).

CONCLUSIONS:
Although persons with multiple chronic-disease risk factors are given more advice, the prevalence of advice given to individuals when lifestyle changes may reduce risk factors is still very low. Methods of translating research on lifestyle modifications into practice are discussed.

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Author information

Author/s: Moeller, Megan A (MA); Snelling, Anastasia M (AM);

Affiliation: UI Wellness-Human Resources, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. megan-moeller(-atsign-)uiowa.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: American journal of health promotion : AJHP (Am J Health Promot), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2006 Jul-Aug; vol 20 (issue 6) : pp 392-5

Dates: Created 2006/07/28; Completed 2006/08/16; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 16871818, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Cross-Sectional Studies
Diet
Exercise
Female
Health Personnel
Humans

Hypertension - prevention & control; therapy
Iowa
Life Style
Male
Middle Aged
Patient Education as Topic
Smoking
Weight Loss

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