Therapeutic lifestyle-change intervention effects on cardiovascular disease risk

Chronic illnesses, for instance diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are liable for several deaths that take place in the United States. Primary or causal factors for these illnesses are in general nutritional factors for instance use of tobacco (smoking), poor nourishment, and sedentary living. In particular, this research study attempted to establish the behavioral and medical effect of a therapeutic lifestyle-change intervention on a set of community helpers. The method of the study encompasses 348 participants in a randomized clinical trial between the ages of 24 and 81 years of age. The participants were requested to participate along with their significant other and thereafter randomized as a unit in pairs. The remaining participants were randomized individually as units. This encompassed teaching the participants the significance of making better decisions with reference to their lifestyles. The program results, six months later indicated that the patients had been having better nutrition and had reduced their weight (Aldana et al., 2006).

Results

Results of the research study as shown on the article is that therapeutic change of lifestyle can bring about substantial improvement in terms of nutrition and physical activity behavior and the declines in several cardiovascular disease risk factors. According to the researchers, in the first six-month period, the main reason of improvement in health was substantial enhancements in nourishment and physical activity behavior. Half a year later, the group participants in the intervention consumed 2-3 times the amount of fruit and vegetables daily in comparison to their consumption when the experiment started. On the other hand, the participants who finished the program for behavior change and espoused the DASH diet, consumed 3 times of fruit and vegetable by half a year later after commencing. These patients reduced their fat calories by 9.5% and lost about 5.8 kilograms on average, whereas, intervention participants reduced their fat calories by 8.2% and lost about 4.5 kilograms on average (Aldana et al., 2006).

Reflection

Majority of the public health and health promotion interventions, irrespective of whether they concentrate on a person, community, populaces or the environment, make the attempt in some manner to change health behavior by modifying health-associated knowledge as well as obstacles and facilitators to attitudes (Jepson et al., 2010). This in particular, is the case with the article being analyzed. In analyzing this research article, I have learnt that a change in eating habits and style of living can have a positive impact in reducing the rate and risks of succumbing to chronic diseases. For instance, cardiovascular diseases, which are presently prevalent, can be reduced by encouraging the patients consume lesser fatty foods. I do agree with the strategy that was employed by the researchers. This is largely because they encompass not only improvements in nourishment but also physical activity. The intervention program can have a significant impact with such individuals.