Measuring the Effects of Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies

Saint Louis University, Prevention Research Center

Topics:
Cardiovascular Health | Nutrition & Physical Activity for Adults

Sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy eating are among the risk factors for heart disease. Researchers determined whether policies aimed at increasing  physical activity and healthy eating were effective as well as whether indicators used to determine the effects were valid and reliable. The study focused on the results of nutrition policies and programs at churches and work sites, the labeling of heart healthy foods on restaurant menus, and the amount of space given to low-fat foods at grocery stores in urban Saint Louis and rural areas of southeast Missouri (known as the Bootheel). Both areas have a high percentage of African Americans—a population at high risk for heart disease. Researchers disseminated results to the Missouri state health department to help its staff accurately measure the effects of its heart disease prevention programs.

 

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