Exercise advice by humans versus computers: maintenance effects at 18 months.

Objective: An automated telehealth counseling system, aimed at inactive midlife and older adults, was shown previously to achieve 12-month physical activity levels similar to those attained by human advisors. This investigation evaluated the sustained 18-month impacts of the automated advisor compared with human advisors.

Methods: Following the end of the 12-month randomized, controlled trial, participants who had been randomized to either the human advisor (n = 73) or automated advisor (n = 75) arms were followed for an additional 6 months.

Symptoms of depression and survival experience among three samples of smokers trying to quit.

Symptoms of depression have been associated with increased smoking prevalence and failure to quit smoking in several cross-sectional and population-based studies. Few studies, however, have prospectively examined the ability of current symptoms of depression to predict failure to quit smoking in treatment-motivated smokers. Pretreatment depressed mood was assessed by 3 different methods in 3 separate samples, 2 of which comprised smokers receiving combined pharmacological and behavioral treatments and a 3rd in which smokers received self-help materials only.

Breaking barriers to increased physical activity.

Physical activity has been identified as one of the leading health indicators, and inactivity is among the major public health concerns in the United States. As such, increasing physical activity becomes an important building block for promoting public health and is a prominent part of the Healthy People 2010 report. Currently, 60% of all Americans do not participate in regular physical activity, and 25% of Americans report being completely inactive ((1)).

Transdisciplinary concepts and measures of craving: commentary and future directions.

A new theoretical model of craving is needed that uses a common language and standardized measures. The new conceptual model must fully integrate discoveries from cellular biology, neuroscience, animal and human laboratory, cognitive-behavioral social learning and socio-cultural disciplines. A transdisciplinary synthesis can then guide methods and measurement development.

Cognitive social learning and related perspectives on drug craving.

Many modern theories of drug use and dependence assign central prominence to the role of craving in drug use and relapse. However, some continue to debate whether drug craving has any motivational significance in terms of drug-using behaviors. Cognitive social learning theory adds additional perspective by imbedding craving within a network of cognitive processes that, as they inter-relate, influence drug use and relapse.

Interactive communication strategies: implications for population-based physical-activity promotion.

Physical inactivity is a recognized independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. However, a large proportion of the U.S.

Current models of nicotine dependence: what is known and what is needed to advance understanding of tobacco etiology among youth.

Youth smoking has risen dramatically during the last 5 years, leading one to the conclusion that prevention interventions have not been particularly effective. This paper provides an examination of features that define adult nicotine dependence and argues that these features need to be considered in any studied examination of youth etiology and development to nicotine dependence. We review the historical context for the concept of nicotine dependence, features that define the concept and current models of substance dependence more generally.

How are we doing with physical activity?

An estimated 60% of U.S. adults are inactive or underactive, and nearly half of America's youth (aged 12 to 21 years) are not vigorously active on a regular basis.

Physical activity behavior change: issues in adoption and maintenance.

The many benefits of participation in regular moderate- or vigorous-intensity physical activity are well established, yet more than 60% of the population is sedentary or insufficiently active. Published studies have revealed that behavior modification and cognitive-behavior modification can be successfully used to assist patients, healthy adults, and youth in the adoption of physically active lifestyles. However, few studies with adults and youth have examined the maintenance of physical activity behavior beyond 6 months of adoption of this behavior.

Do processes of change predict smoking stage movements? A prospective analysis of the transtheoretical model.

The transtheoretical model (TTM) posits that processes of change and the pros and cons of smoking predict progressive movement through the stages of change. This study provides both a cross-sectional replication and a prospective test of this hypothesis. As part of a larger study of worksite cancer prevention (the Working Well Trial), employees of 26 manufacturing worksites completed a baseline and 2 annual follow-up surveys.