“Practice What You Teach” Public Health Nurses Promoting Healthy Lifestyles (PHeeL-PHiNe): Program Evaluation

Abstract

Healthy lifestyle programs are essential for meeting the challenge of noncommunicable diseases. The Public Health Nurses Promoting Healthy Lifestyles (PHeeL-PHiNe) program engaged nurses from family health clinics in Jerusalem District and included physical activity, healthy nutrition, and motivational skills. Questionnaires were completed at baseline, postintervention, and at 18 months. Results showed a marked effect on health practices. The proportion of nurses consuming a balanced diet and the use of food labels significantly increased and were maintained over time. Short-term improvements in physical activity were also observed. Nurses who practiced a healthy lifestyle were significantly more likely to provide guidance and counseling to families on healthy behaviors.

Effectiveness of Lifestyle Health Promotion Interventions for Nurses: A Systematic Review

“…Thirty-five studies included some form of PA [60,69,75,76,78,83,88,96,98,. The PA interventions included walking [83,88,96,113,115,119,123,127,131,133,136], standing [119], aerobics [60,75], aerobics and resistance exercise [118], yoga [116,122,125,126,132,135], Tai-Chi [130], endurance training [117], muscle strength promotion [117,128], stretching [119,134,137], daily exercise [78,121], physiotherapy exercise [76], exercises with equipment (stair-stepper: [114], treadmill, Wii TM : [96,115], elastic bands and kettlebells [120,137,138], back muscle exercises [98,…”

“…Ten studies investigated the effects of interventions based on diet and/or water consumption [75,83,88,96,113,116,119,127,139,140]. The dietary interventions included dietary or healthy eating education [75,83,88,113,116,140], use of diet diaries [127], diet supplement (Omega-acid pills, [139]), cooking sessions [88], healthy snacks [96], or hydration intervention [96,119,127].…”

“…Nine studies reported nutrition (healthy eating) as an outcome, with all but one study [83] reporting positive outcomes for diet or nutrition following intervention [61,67,88,112,113,118,127,140]. Of the eight studies reporting improvements in diet or nutrition, two were RCTs [118,140], two were non-randomised controlled studies [61,67] and four were uncontrolled studies [88,112,113,127].…”

“…Nine studies reported nutrition (healthy eating) as an outcome, with all but one study [83] reporting positive outcomes for diet or nutrition following intervention [61,67,88,112,113,118,127,140]. Of the eight studies reporting improvements in diet or nutrition, two were RCTs [118,140], two were non-randomised controlled studies [61,67] and four were uncontrolled studies [88,112,113,127]. These interventions were predominantly based on education, including an e-health website [67,112], face-to-face education sessions [88,112], creating self-care plans [61], keeping track of one's steps and diet [127], providing physical resources (water bottle, sandwich box, healthy cookbook [88,127]), providing cooking classes [88], setting action plans for lower snack intake [140], goal setting for changes in diet [113], with five studies also incorporating a PA element (Wii exercises [112], aerobics [118], or walking [88,113,127]).…”

The Health Promotion of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention by Community Health Nurse in Primary Health Care: A Systematic Review

“…A previous study showed the correlation between skills and nurses' competency to improve the health services at primary health care (8). The prevention of non-communicable disease can be implemented with the methods of training and counseling, which influence to improve healthy lifestyle, physical activity, and nutritional balance (9). The qualitative research study by Lundberg et al describes that the consultations of health can improve lifestyle and reduce risk factors of cardiovascular disease (5).…”