Multiple Behavior Change Among Church Members Taking Part in the Faith, Activity, and Nutrition Program

ObjectiveTo examine the extent to which participants in a combined physical activity (PA) and dietary intervention achieved changes in multiple health behaviors.DesignGroup randomized trial; includes only participants assigned to the intervention group only.SettingThirty-six churches in South Carolina.ParticipantsThree hundred sixty African American church members.InterventionA 15-month PA and dietary intervention, guided by the structural ecological model, targeting environmental (ie, social, cultural, physical) and organizational (ie, policies, practices) changes within the church.Main Outcome MeasuresSelf-reported PA, fruit and vegetable consumption, fat-, and fiber-related behaviors.AnalysisChange in each behavior was defined as unadjusted pretest–posttest improvement ≥ 0.20 of the baseline standard deviation. The total number and each combination of behaviors changed were calculated.ResultsUp to 19% changed no health behaviors as defined above, 31% changed 1 health behavior, 31% changed 2 health behaviors, 13% changed 3 health behaviors, and 5% changed all 4 of the targeted health behaviors. Combinations of multiple behavior change included PA and dietary behaviors, which suggests that both behaviors can be changed simultaneously.Conclusions and ImplicationsNearly half of participants changed at least 2 health behaviors. Faith-based interventions targeting environmental and organizational change can successfully change multiple behaviors, potentially leading to greater improvements in public health.