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BetterU

An Evidence-Based Practice

Description

The BetterU program, formerly Choose to Move, is a campaign to increase the proportion of women who meet national recommendations for physical activity and nutrition. The campaign educates participants about proper physical activity and nutrition behaviors, and encourages women to develop a strong support system. Women, aged 25 years and older, are recruited by direct mail, the media, health care providers, and other means. The messages target women at high risk for heart disease and stroke, and invite women to log on to the American Heart Association's Website to access other intervention components, including a downloadable BetterMe Coaching Tool, journaling capabilities, structured goal setting, and 365 daily tips from experts on nutrition, stress, and physical activity. After registering, participants receive a welcome kit with program materials. The program consists of a 12-week behavior modification tailored to women to help them take steps toward improving health behaviors. The courses include tips for goal setting, healthy cooking, diabetes prevention, weight loss, increasing physical activity, and smoking cessation.

Goal / Mission

The goal of the BetterU intervention is to increase knowledge of heart disease, increase physical activity, and improve nutrition among women aged 25 years and older.

Results / Accomplishments

In a pre- and post-intervention study of the Choose to Move program, the percentage of participants who reported being active significantly increased from 32% to 67% (p = 0.001). The proportion of participants limiting excess calories or fat significantly increased from 72% to 91% (p = 0.001). Significantly more participants were able to correctly identify heart disease as the leading cause of death (from 84% to 91%, p < 0.001).

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
American Heart Association
Primary Contact
American Heart Association
National Center
7272 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, TX 75231
1-800-AHA-USA-1
https://www.heart.org/en/affiliates/better-u
Topics
Health / Women's Health
Health / Physical Activity
Health / Prevention & Safety
Organization(s)
American Heart Association
Source
Archives of Internal Medicine
Date of publication
2001
Date of implementation
1999
Location
USA
For more details
http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/161/...
Target Audience
Women

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An Evidence-Based Practice meets the following HCI criteria:

  1. The program description includes at a minimum: the sponsoring organization, program goals, program implementation steps, and outcomes that have demonstrated program success in achieving the program goal in one or more localities.
  2. The results from an evaluation of the program include quantitative measures showing improvement in the outcome(s) of interest after the implementation of the program (i.e. increase in smoking cessation, not just the delivery of a smoking cessation program). The outcome measure(s) is/are compared at relevant time periods before and after the intervention or program implementation. Alternatively, the evaluation study compares the outcome(s) between an intervention group and an appropriate control group.
  3. The study is of peer-review quality and presents numbers in a scientific manner; measurements of precision and reliability are included (e.g. confidence intervals, standard errors), results from statistical tests show a significant difference or change in the outcome measure(s), and relevant point estimates and p-values are presented. Note: if the results from an evaluation of a program are presented in a scientific manner and the outcome measure is improved compared to the baseline measurement or the control group but the difference is not statistically significant, the practice is classified as effective and not evidence-based.
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