Dataset Information

Methods of quantifying change in multiple risk factor interventions.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Risky behaviors such as smoking, alcohol abuse, physical inactivity, and poor diet are detrimental to health, costly, and often co-occur. Greater efforts are being targeted at changing multiple risk behaviors to more comprehensively address the health needs of individuals and populations. With increased interest in multiple risk factor interventions, the field will need ways to conceptualize the issue of overall behavior change.

Method

Analyzing data from over 8000 participants in four multibehavioral interventions, we present five different methods for quantifying and reporting changes in multiple risk behaviors.

Results

The methods are: (a) the traditional approach of reporting changes in individual risk behaviors; (b) creating a combined statistical index of overall behavior change, standardizing scores across behaviors on different metrics; (c) using a behavioral index; (d) calculating an overall impact factor; and (e) using overarching outcome measures such as quality of life, related biometrics, or cost outcomes. We discuss the methods' interpretations, strengths, and limitations.

Conclusion

Given the lack of consensus in the field on how to examine change in multiple risk behaviors, we recommend researchers employ and compare multiple methods in their publications. A dialogue is needed to work toward developing a consensus for optimal ways of conceptualizing and reporting changes in multibehavioral interventions.

SUBMITTER: Prochaska JJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2288581 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Methods of quantifying change in multiple risk factor interventions.

Prochaska Judith J JJ Velicer Wayne F WF Nigg Claudio R CR Prochaska James O JO

Preventive medicine 20070815 3

<h4>Objective</h4>Risky behaviors such as smoking, alcohol abuse, physical inactivity, and poor diet are detrimental to health, costly, and often co-occur. Greater efforts are being targeted at changing multiple risk behaviors to more comprehensively address the health needs of individuals and populations. With increased interest in multiple risk factor interventions, the field will need ways to conceptualize the issue of overall behavior change.<h4>Method</h4>Analyzing data from over 8000 parti ...[more]

PMID: 18319099

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Dataset Information

Methods of quantifying change in multiple risk factor interventions.

Objective

Method

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Methods of quantifying change in multiple risk factor interventions.

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