Author/Authors :
Roohafza, Hamidreza Assistant Professor of Psychiatry - Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Sarafzadegan, Nizal Professor of Cardiology - Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Shahnam, Maryam Research Assistant -Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Tolouei, Hamidreza Anesthesiologist - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Sharifi, Mehrab General Practitioner - Isfahan Red Crescent sSociety. Isfahan , Navab, Ahmad General Practitioner - Isfahan Red Crescent sSociety. Isfahan , Ansaripor, Abdolhamid General Practitioner - Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, Isfahan , khanbazi, Heidarali Research Assistant - Isfahan Red Crescent Society, Isfahan , Mirzaii, Mohhamadmehdi General Practitioner - Shahid Beheshti Police (NAJA), Isfahan , Azad, Khatereh Research Assistant - Isfahan Red Crescent Society, Isfahan , Anaraki, Djafar General Practitioner - Deputy of Health - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Sadeghi, Masoumeh Associate Professor of Cardiology - Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Sajadi, Firozeh Research Assistant -Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Shahrokhi, Shahnaz Preventive medicine specialist - Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Saidi, Marzieh Research Assistant -Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Sadri Pharm, Gholamhosein Pharmacist - Deputy of research - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences
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<0.05). Percentage of individuals with high stress level were more significant in intervention
area compared with control area (P for trend<0.05). Smoking was increased among
men and women in both areas whereas the increase was higher in control area (P for
trend<0.05). Although daily physical activity frequency was increased in intervention areas but
it wasn’t significant compared with control area. Also, decreased trend of carbonated drink consumption
were not significant in intervention area compared with control area.
CONCLUSION: The lifestyle modification program in the youth was successfully implemented
and was shown to have improved some of the youth’s lifestyle behaviors related to healthy lifestyle.
Keywords :
Intervention , The youth , Non-communicable disease , Lifestyle
