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Comparative Study
. 2012:9:E08.
Epub 2011 Dec 15.

Effectiveness of the Pasos Adelante chronic disease prevention and control program in a US-Mexico border community, 2005-2008

Lisa K Staten  1 , Christina A Cutshaw, Christopher Davidson, Kerstin Reinschmidt, Rosie Stewart, Denise J Roe
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Effectiveness of the Pasos Adelante chronic disease prevention and control program in a US-Mexico border community, 2005-2008

Lisa K Staten et al. Prev Chronic Dis. 2012.

Abstract

Introduction: Pasos Adelante is a lifestyle intervention program facilitated by community health workers (promotores) targeting chronic disease prevention and control in Mexican Americans. Initial studies of Pasos Adelante indicated significant improvements in self-reported nutrition and physical activity. This study examined whether Pasos Adelante participants living in a US border community showed improvements in selected physiological measures after participating in the program and whether changes were maintained at 3-month follow-up.

Methods: The program took place in 12-week sessions from January 2005 to May 2008 and included walking groups and education targeting nutrition and physical activity. Questionnaires, anthropometric measures, and laboratory tests were conducted at baseline (n = 305), conclusion of program (n = 254), and 3-month follow-up (n = 221).

Results: Participants demonstrated decreases in body mass index (P = .04), waist and hip circumference (P < .001), diastolic and systolic blood pressure (P < .001), and total cholesterol (P = .008) from baseline to program conclusion. No values worsened significantly between program conclusion and follow-up, except systolic blood pressure. Glucose levels improved between conclusion and follow-up (P = .01).

Conclusion: These results support the initial findings of improvements in participants' self-reported physical activity and nutrition patterns through changes in objective measures. This evidence-based program demonstrates the potential for a promotores-facilitated chronic disease prevention and control program to improve physical health and targets both primary and secondary prevention in Hispanic communities and organizations.

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Figures

flow chart
Figure.
Participant flow, Pasos Adelante program, Douglas, Arizona, 2005-2008.
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