Success and challenges of a community healthy lifestyles intervention in Merseyside (UK) to target families at risk from coronary heart disease

Abstract

Objective To document the lifestyle health impacts (activity, diet and physiological), along with the operational success and challenges, of a programme for families presenting one or more coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factor.

Design Data are based on a wider evaluation of a government-funded community initiative conducted in a deprived area of Liverpool (UK) between September 2004 and January 2006.

Setting Data are based on readings and responses taken by programme staff, and Liverpool John Moores University evaluation exercises held within May Logan Healthy Living Centre.

Method Lifestyle behaviour changes, monitored at weeks 1, 7 and 14 and at 6 months, for 34 families were analysed. Further exploration of programme success and challenges was through focus groups with families and interviews with staff.

Results Sustained changes in activity and diet support the viability of a short and supportive programme in reducing CHD risks. Physiological change was less positive, suggesting limited improvement in this domain. Personal, environmental and cultural factors presented as a challenge to programme success.

Keywords

community intervention coronary heart disease diet healthy lifestyles physical activity

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