Associations of cardiorespiratory fitness and fatness with metabolic syndrome in rural women with prehypertension.

Background: This study investigated the associations of fitness and fatness with metabolic syndrome in rural women, part of a recognized US health disparities group.

Methods: Fitness, percentage body fat, BMI, and metabolic syndrome criteria were assessed at baseline in 289 rural women with prehypertension, ages 40-69, enrolled in a healthy eating and activity community-based clinical trial for reducing blood pressure.

Results: Ninety (31%) women had metabolic syndrome, of which 70% were obese by BMI (≥30 kg/m²), 100% by percentage body fat (≥30%), and 100% by revised BMI standards (≥25 kg/m²) cited in current literature.

The influence of cognitive-perceptual variables on patterns of change over time in rural midlife and older women's healthy eating.

Although studies demonstrate that dietary interventions for healthy adults can result in beneficial dietary changes, few studies examine when and how people change in response to these interventions, particularly in rural populations. The purpose of this study was to examine patterns of change over time in healthy eating behaviors in midlife and older women in response to a one-year health-promoting intervention, and to examine what predictors (perceived benefits, barriers, self-efficacy, and family support for healthy eating) influence the changes during the intervention and follow-up. Data for this secondary analysis were from the Wellness for Women community-based trial.

Web-based interventions for weight loss and weight maintenance among rural midlife and older women: protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Weight loss is challenging and maintenance of weight loss is problematic among midlife and older rural women. Finding effective interventions using innovative delivery methods that can reach underserved and vulnerable populations of overweight and obese rural women is a public health challenge.

Methods/design: This Women Weigh-In for Wellness (The WWW study) randomized-controlled trial is designed to compare the effectiveness of theory-based behavior-change interventions using (1) website only, (2) website with peer-led support, or (3) website with professional email-counseling to facilitate initial weight loss (baseline to 6 months), guided continuing weight loss and maintenance (7-18 months) and self-directed weight maintenance (19-30 months) among rural women ages 45-69 with a BMI of 28-45.

Blood pressure, fitness, and lipid profiles of rural women in the wellness for women project.

Purpose: This study examined whether rural women, who had a high prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension upon enrollment in a wellness program, would also have a high prevalence of other cardiovascular disease risk factors such as low fitness and/or dyslipidemia.

Methods: Data were analyzed from 225 rural women, ages 50-69, enrolled in a healthy eating and activity clinical trial. Cardiovascular health histories, fitness measures, blood pressure, and fasting blood serum samples were collected following standardized protocols at rural research offices.

Maintenance of activity and eating change after a clinical trial of tailored newsletters with older rural women.

Background: In the Wellness for Women Project, a randomized-by-site 1-year controlled clinical trial, the efficacy of generic newsletters and newsletters tailored on Health Promotion Model behavior-specific cognitions, eating behavior, and activity behavior were compared among 225 women aged 50 to 69 years.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the maintenance of change in healthy eating and physical activity over the 12 months following the tailored versus generic mailed newsletter intervention.

Methods: Outcomes at 18 and 24 months included behavioral markers and biomarkers of physical activity and eating.

Clinical trial of tailored activity and eating newsletters with older rural women.

Background: Unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity increase rural midlife and older women's risk of chronic diseases and premature death, and they are behind urban residents in meeting Healthy People 2010 objectives.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare a tailored intervention based on the Health Promotion Model with a generic intervention to increase physical activity and healthy eating among rural women.

Methods: In a randomized-by-site, community-based, controlled, clinical trial, Wellness for Women, 225 women aged 50 to 69 years were recruited in two similar rural areas.

Incorporating self-efficacy and interpersonal support in an intervention to increase physical activity in older women.

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of five versus one session of Behavioral Counseling in a 12-week intervention to increase self-efficacy and family and friend support for activity, and examine self-efficacy and support as mediators of activity among 46 urban women.

Methods: A randomized, controlled trial conducted during 2004 in Omaha, Nebraska. Outcomes were analyzed with Repeated Measures-ANOVA and path analysis.

Feasibility of Internet-delivered weight loss interventions among rural women ages 50-69.

Purpose: The increased availability and use of the Internet by midlife and older women who seek health information may provide an innovative method for delivering weight loss interventions. This preliminary study examined the feasibility and efficacy of web-based interventions for promoting weight loss among rural overweight and obese women ages 50-69 (M = 55.5 +/- 4.

Eating behaviors and health history of rural midlife to older women in the midwestern United States.

This study was conducted to examine daily energy, food group, and nutrient intakes of late midlife to older women living in the rural Midwestern United States compared with recommended intakes for the US population, and to describe their physical measures and health history. Random-digit dialing was used to recruit 225 community-dwelling women aged 50 to 69 years from a rural Midwestern area of the United States. Participants completed online food intake and health history surveys.

Differences in eating and activity behaviors, health history, and biomarkers among normal-weight, overweight, and obese rural midwestern hispanic women.

This project examined differences in health history, eating and activity behaviors, and biomarkers across three weight categories of rural, Midwestern, US-born Hispanic women as a way to identify critical factors for improving long-term health. Using a cross-sectional descriptive design, a convenience sample of 70 women, aged 19 to 69 years, completed general health, demographic, food frequency, and physical activity questionnaires. Height, weight, blood pressure, and waist circumferences were measured and recorded.

Physical activity counseling for older women.

Physical inactivity is a major factor in increasing women's risk for chronic disease, disability, and premature mortality. This study compared the effectiveness of five behavioral counseling (BC) sessions with a comparison group receiving one BC session based on the five A's (ask, advise, assist, arrange, and agree) to increase moderate-intensity physical activity, muscle strengthening, and stretching activity. The health promotion model provided the framework for the intervention.

Determinants of older rural women's activity and eating.

This research examined the relationship of cognitive-perceptual determinants from the Health Promotion Model to physical activity and healthy eating at baseline of a clinical trial among rural women aged 50 to 69. Two multivariate regression analyses with canonical correlation (N = 179) each yielded one interpretable canonical variate that explained similar amounts of variance (21.7% and 22.

Practice of health-promoting behaviors by nursing home residents.

The decade of the '90s witnessed the emergence of health promotion as a national priority for all age groups. Despite the fact that Healthy People 2010 identified objectives for the nursing home population, little is known about factors that promote the practice of health-promoting behaviors by nursing home residents. This study examined the separate and combined contributions of personal and contextual influences on the practice of health-promoting behaviors by nursing home residents.

Tailored versus standard internet-delivered interventions to promote physical activity in older women.

Purpose: While substantial evidence demonstrates physical activity is effective at reducing risk for cardiovascular and other diseases, the percentage of older women participating in regular activity is low. The Internet offers an alternative method for delivery of a primary prevention intervention. This preliminary study examined the feasibility and effectiveness of using the Internet to deliver behavior change interventions for promoting physical activity in women ages 50-69 years.

Physical activity and fitness among midlife and older rural women.

This study investigated physical activity and fitness of midlife and older rural women. Random-digit dialing was used to recruit 225 women (57.9 +/- 5.

Differences in eating and activity markers among normal weight, overweight, and obese rural women.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine differences in healthy eating and physical activity behaviors and associated biomarkers among normal weight (body mass index [BMI] < 25), overweight (BMI 25-29.9), and obese (BMI > or = 30) rural women.

Methods: Random digit dialing was used to recruit 225 rural women (57.

A randomized pilot test of "Moms on the Move": a physical activity intervention for WIC mothers.

Background: Sedentary mothers are important to reach with physical activity promotion.

Purpose: This study pilot tested "Moms on the Move," a Transtheoretical Model (TTM)-derived physical activity (PA) intervention for low-income mothers enrolled in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.

Method: Sedentary mothers (N = 44) were randomized to (a).

Health-promoting lifestyle behaviors of Spanish-speaking Hispanic adults.

The study purpose was to determine (a) health-promoting lifestyle behaviors of Spanish-speaking Hispanics, (b) differences in these behaviors by demographics and acculturation, and (c) the extent to which perceived health status, demographics, and acculturation explain health-promoting lifestyles. The Spanish-language Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLPII) and other instruments were completed by a convenience sample of 545 Hispanic adults recruited in several midwestern communities. Of the six behavioral dimension scores of the HPLPII, scores were lowest for physical activity and highest for spiritual growth.

Application of the Transtheoretical Model of behavior change to the physical activity behavior of WIC mothers.

This descriptive-correlational study examined the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) of behavior change in relationship to the physical activity behavior of mothers receiving assistance from the Women, Infants, and Children program. A purposive sample (N = 30) of six women at each of the five stages of readiness for behavior change was used. Relationships between stage of behavior change (measured using the Stage of Exercise Adoption tool) and other TTM constructs were examined.

Determinants of Medicare home healthcare service use among Medicare recipients.

Background: Medicare reimbursement for home healthcare (HHC) services has changed dramatically in recent years. A clear understanding of the determinants of Medicare HHC services use is needed so that HHC agencies can meet the demand for services from an aging population while remaining financially sound.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to identify the determinants of Medicare HHC service within the framework of the Andersen Behavioral Model.

Use and reliability of the World Wide Web version of the Block Health Habits and History Questionnaire with older rural women.

Objective: To estimate the parallel forms reliability of the paper and pencil and World Wide Web versions of the 1998 Block Health Habits and History Questionnaire (HHHQ) and to examine the feasibility of older women using the Web version.

Design: Within a 2-week period, participants completed both the paper and pencil and Web versions of the HHHQ and pre- and postsurveys about their comfort level and experience in using the computer.

Subjects: A convenience sample of 31 white women, aged 58.

Midlife and older rural women's adherence to U.S. Dietary Guidelines across stages of change in healthy eating.

Poor diet is one of the factors that influences morbidity and premature mortality among older women. The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to assess (a) healthy eating behaviors of midlife and older rural women, as reflected by adherence to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and (b) differences in daily servings in each food group consumed by the women across stages of readiness for change in healthy eating. A sample of 371 midlife and older rural women attending a national meeting of a community education organization completed a questionnaire, including items to measure healthy eating and readiness for change in healthy eating.