Effects of a behavioural approach on lifestyle habits: a before-after interventional study

Abstract

Abstract The study aimed to offer a path of empowerment to promote adherence to healthy diets and physical activity for cancer prevention,according to the recommendations of the World Cancer Research Fund (2007): 5 servings per day of fruit / vegetables, protective food (EVO, green tea, cruciferous, turmeric, dried fruit), practicing at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity. Participants were volunteers between 18 - 70 years old divided in groups of 25/30 people. They followed a course of 7 theoretical and practical meetings (lifestyles, resilience and cooking workshops) and they signed a contract to comply with the promoted habits, which were verified through questionnaires administered during the engagement phase (T0), three months after the beginning of the course (T1) and one year after (T2). Six editions (2014-2017) were made for a total of 153 subjects involved (75% women, average age 54 years old). Of these, 116 eligible subjects (76%) were also evaluated at T1 and 63 volunteers (41.7%) at T2. With respect to the dropped out rate, 24% of the subjects left the study prior T1, while 45% of volunteers left it prior T2. The established goal (40% expected target) was accomplished and excided the expectation, since more than 80% of the subjects involved at T1 achieved an improvement in healthy diet (increased consumption of vegetables and fruit, daily consumption of at least one food with antioxidant action) and physical activity (at least 30 minutes a day). Furthermore the 77% of T1 compliants (50% expected goal) retained healthy eating and healthy motor behaviors even after a year (T2). The proposed path of empowerment positively affected nutrition and promotion of physical activity at 3 months after the intervention (T1) and were maintained even after a year. The latter result was partly scale down by a high drop out. The path of empowerment, appropriately adapted, can complete the diagnostic therapeutic pathways for breast cancer and colon cancer survivors. Key messages People are easier involved in empowerment paths aimed at fighting a single disease, for example cancer, but good results can be achieved simultaneously for all non-communicable diseases. Motivational communication for healthy eating, physical activity and stress prevention must become an integral part of the therapeutic diagnostic pathways of cancers and non-communicable diseases.