Journal of Public Health (United Kingdom)
Volume 36, Issue 1, 2014, Pages 149-155

The evaluation of a culturally appropriate, community-based lifestyle intervention program for elderly Chinese immigrants with chronic diseases: A pilot study (Article) (Open Access)

Lu Y. , DiPierro M. , Chen L. , Chin R. , Fava M. , Yeung A.*
  • a Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, United States
  • b Depression Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, One Bowdoin Square, 6/F, Boston, MA 02114, United States
  • c Depression Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, One Bowdoin Square, 6/F, Boston, MA 02114, United States, South Cove Community Health Center, Boston, MA 02111, United States
  • d YMCA of Greater Boston, Wang Branch, Boston, MA 02111, United States
  • e Depression Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, One Bowdoin Square, 6/F, Boston, MA 02114, United States
  • f Depression Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, One Bowdoin Square, 6/F, Boston, MA 02114, United States, South Cove Community Health Center, Boston, MA 02111, United States

Abstract

Background: The 'Healthy Habits Program' is a 6-month community-based program, which offers exercise facilities, training and weekly health education group to underserved elderly Chinese Americans with chronic medical diseases in their native languages. This pilot study evaluates the acceptability and the health effects of the 'Healthy Habits Program'. Methods: Ninety-nine subjects participated in the 'Healthy Habits Program' in 2011. Before and after the program, the participants were assessed in their physical and mental health using various fitness tests as well as measures of disability and psychological functioning. Results: Participants provided overwhelmingly positive feedback on the program, which was associated with significant improvements in physical and mental health including a significant decrease in body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and increase in stamina. The participants reported lower mean scores on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 item Scale (PHQ-9), indicating improved psychological well-being. Conclusions: These promising pilot study results from this lifestyle intervention program for elderly Chinese American immigrants with chronic diseases inform the design of a more definitive trial using a randomized design and larger sample size. © The Author 2013.

Author Keywords

Chinese americans Community-based Elderly Treatment Chronic diseases

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84897679346&doi=10.1093%2fpubmed%2ffdt037&partnerID=40&md5=d9c7ae18f0d3acf4dcac01497671131f
DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdt037
ISSN: 17413842
Cited by: 4
Original Language: English