Folta Sara C, Goldberg Jeanne P, Lichtenstein Alice H, Seguin Rebecca, Reed Peter N, Nelson Miriam E
John Hancock Center for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
Prev Chronic Dis. 2008 Jan;5(1):A06. Epub 2007 Dec 15.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for women in the United States. A healthy diet and appropriate physical activity can help reduce the risk for CVD. However, many women do not follow recommendations for these behaviors. In this study, we used qualitative methods to better understand knowledge and awareness about CVD in women, perceived threat of CVD, barriers to heart-healthy eating and physical activity, and intervention strategies for behavior change.
We conducted four focus groups with 38 white women aged 40 years or older in Kansas and Arkansas. We also interviewed 25 Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service agents in those states. Environmental audits of grocery stores and the physical environment were done in three communities.
Most women were aware of the modifiable risk factors for CVD. Although they realized they were susceptible, they thought CVD was something they could overcome. Common barriers to achieving a heart-healthy diet included time and concern about wasting food. Most women had positive attitudes toward physical activity and reported exercising in the past, but found it difficult to resume when their routine was disrupted. The environmental audits suggested that there are opportunities to be physically active and that with the exception of fresh fish in Kansas, healthful foods are readily available in local food stores.
Interventions to change behavior should be hands-on, have a goal-setting component, and include opportunities for social interaction. It is especially important to offer interventions as awareness increases and women seek opportunities to build skills to change behavior.
心血管疾病（CVD）是美国女性的首要死因。健康的饮食和适当的体育活动有助于降低患心血管疾病的风险。然而，许多女性并未遵循这些行为的建议。在本研究中，我们采用定性方法来更好地了解女性对心血管疾病的知识和认识、对心血管疾病的感知威胁、有益心脏健康的饮食和体育活动的障碍以及行为改变的干预策略。
我们在堪萨斯州和阿肯色州对38名40岁及以上的白人女性进行了四个焦点小组访谈。我们还采访了这两个州的25名合作州研究、教育和推广服务机构的工作人员。对三个社区的杂货店和物理环境进行了环境审计。
大多数女性都知道心血管疾病的可改变风险因素。尽管她们意识到自己易患此病，但认为心血管疾病是可以克服的。实现有益心脏健康饮食的常见障碍包括时间和对食物浪费的担忧。大多数女性对体育活动持积极态度，并报告过去曾进行锻炼，但发现日常生活被打乱后很难恢复锻炼。环境审计表明，存在进行体育活动的机会，而且除了堪萨斯州的鲜鱼外，当地食品店很容易买到健康食品。
改变行为的干预措施应该是实际操作的，有设定目标的部分，并包括社交互动的机会。随着意识的提高以及女性寻求培养改变行为的技能的机会，提供干预措施尤为重要。
