Changes in Cognitive Measures in a Randomized Controlled Trial of a Health Promotion Program for Couples Targeting Diet and Physical Activity

Abstract Purpose. To examine cognitive responses to a 4-month health promotion program targeting diet and physical activity in recently cohabiting couples. Design. A three-group randomized controlled trial: no intervention (Controls), interactive group sessions and mail-outs (Interactive), and one group session followed by mail-outs (Mail). Setting. Australian research studies unit. Subjects. Seventy-eight of 137 couples cohabiting for <2 years, recruited by advertising, completed the study. Measures. Stages of change; health beliefs; self-efficacy; and perceived barriers to change evaluated by questionnaires at baseline, postintervention, and 1-year follow-up. Data were analyzed using mixed models, factor analysis, and linear regression. Results. In the Mail group, the perceived importance of barriers to dietary change decreased by 19% at postintervention and 16% at 1-year follow-up; dietary self-efficacy increased by 9% and 3%, respectively. In the Interactive group, the perceived importance of barriers...