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Abstract

Purpose.

We investigated the prevalence of hypertension-lowering lifestyle-modification advice given to adults living in Iowa. We sought to determine if persons with high blood pressure and those who are overweight receive more advice than do persons with normal blood pressure and a desirable body weight.

Methods.

By using the 2002 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, we asked Iowa adults with (N = 1050) and without (N = 2514) high blood pressure five questions relating to the most recent Joint National Committee guidelines on lowering blood pressure. Respondents with high blood pressure were placed into normal weight and overweight categories. Chi-square analysis revealed group differences in amount of advice received. To reflect the true Iowa population, data were weighted by SPSS software.

Results.

Compared with persons without high blood pressure, those with high blood pressure received more lifestyle-modification advice (p < .001) for eating less high-fat or high-cholesterol foods (28.3% vs. 12.5%), eating more fruits and vegetables (35.7% vs. 20.0%), exercising more (37.6% vs. 20.8%), losing weight (19.3% vs. 9.3%), and quitting smoking (80.5% vs. 64.6%).

Conclusions.

Although persons with multiple chronic-disease risk factors are given more advice, the prevalence of advice given to individuals when lifestyle changes may reduce risk factors is still very low. Methods of translating research on lifestyle modifications into practice are discussed.

Keywords

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Guidelines Translation of Research Into Practice Surveillance Advice Prevention Research Manuscript format: research Study design: nonexperimental Outcome measure: behavioral Setting: clinical/health care Health focus: physical activity,nutrition,weight control Strategy: education Target population: adults Target population circumstances: hypertension Geographic location: Iowa

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References

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and US Department of Health and Human Services. The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure; 2003. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/hypertension/jncintro.htm. Accessed October 5, 2003.

Iowa Department of Public Health. Annual Report: Survey Results From the 2001 Iowa Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. State Center for Health Statistics, Bureau of Vital Records. Available at: http://www.idph.state.ia.us/brfss/default.asp. Accessed October 5, 2003.

Iowa Department of Public Health. Annual Report: Survey Results From the 2002 Iowa Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. State Center for Health Statistics, Bureau of Vital Records. Available at: http://www.idph.state.ia.us/brfss/default.asp. Accessed March 1, 2004.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic disease overview. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/overview_longdesc.htm. Accessed October 5, 2003.

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Health Professionals' Advice to Iowa Adults with Hypertension Using the 2002 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System