Active Choices

An Evidence-Based Practice

Description

Active Choices is a telephone-based lifestyle behavior change program targeting adults aged ≥50 years designed to increase physical activity, grounded in social cognitive theory and the transtheoretical model. This promising practice is delivered through one face-to-face meeting and up to eight one-on-one telephone counseling calls.

Goal / Mission

The goal of this promising practice is to increase physical activity in a diverse older adult population.

Impact

Participants in the Active Choices program showed significant increases in physical activity and a greater satisfaction with their body appearance and function. Participants of the program also showed decreases in their BMI.

Results / Accomplishments

The program was first rigorously evaluated in a series of randomized controlled trials and shown to be efficacious. It then was evaluated in a dissemination study using a quasi-experimental design. Nine lead organizations at 12 sites participated in the evaluation. Active Choices participants (n=2503) averaged 65.8 years (80% women, 41% non-Hispanic white). Significant increases in moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity, total physical activity, and satisfaction with body appearance and function, and decreases in BMI were seen for the Active Choices program.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Stanford Prevention Research Center
Primary Contact
Dr. Abby King
Stanford Prevention Research Center
Stanford University School of Medicine
Hoover Pavilion, Rm. N229
211 Quarry Road, Stanford CA 94305-5705
king@stanford.edu
https://med.stanford.edu/profiles/abby-king
Topics
Health / Older Adults
Health / Physical Activity
Organization(s)
Stanford Prevention Research Center
Source
American Journal of Preventive Medicine 35(4)
Date of publication
Oct 2008
Location
San Francisco
For more details
Target Audience
Older Adults