ARE COMMUNITY –BASED INTERVENTION PROGRAMS EFFECTIVE IN THE YOUTH POPULATION? RESULTS FROM ISFAHAN HEALTHY HEART PROGRAM

• Published in: ARYA atherosclerosis 2010-11, Vol.5 (3)
• Main Authors: Hamidreza Roohafza, Nizal Sarafzadegan, Maryam Shahnam, Hamidreza Tolouei, Mehrab Sharifi, Ahmad Navab, Abdolhamid Ansaripor, Heidarali khanbazi, Mohhamadmehdi Mirzaii, Khatereh Azad, Djafar Anaraki, Masoumeh Sadeghi, Firozeh Sajadi, Shahnaz Shahrokhi, Marzieh Saidi, Gholamhosein Sadri Pharm
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1735-3955; 2251-6638

Abstract BACKGROUND: Although the relationship between unhealthy lifestyle and development of non-communicable diseases in the youth has been understood but intervention studies to improve lifestyle behaviors in this age group are low. Consequently, this study was performed to highlight important intervention activity of a NCD prevention and health promotion program for young people and to present its main results in Iran. METHODS: The Youth Intervention Project (YIP) as a part of Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP) was carried out on all the youth aged 19-25 years in Isfahan and Najafabad counties as intervention areas and Arak as control area. The target groups could be reached in Red Crescent Society, universities, and garrisons. Multifactorial interventions included healthy nutrition, physical activity, coping with stress, and tobacco cessation by more emphasis on hookah smoking. Also, enforcing no-smoking regulations in teahouses and coffee shops was considered. RESULTS: After performing multifactorial interventions, the change of fast food consumption frequency was statistically significant in comparison between intervention and control areas (P for trend