Attempts at changing dietary and exercise habits to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease: who's doing what in the community?

The objective of this study was to characterize adults in Olmsted County, MN who were attempting to change both their dietary and physical activity habits. A random digit-dial telephone survey was taken of 1232 adults, with questions about lifestyle, medical conditions, demographics, and receipt of previous lifestyle advice from a health care professional. Respondents were grouped in four categories: 1) changing neither diet nor exercise habits (22%); 2) changing diet habits only (20%); 3) changing exercise habits only (9%); and 4) changing both diet and exercise habits (49%). Along with several demographic and behavioral factors, receipt of physician advice to change exercise and dietary habits was a strong predictor of attempts to change both lifestyle habits. Only a minority of the population (23%), however, reported having received such advice. These results support the positive impact of health professional advice on dietary and exercise change in the population. Public health campaigns should be aimed at increasing the provision of such advice. Copyright 2002 CHF, Inc.