Effects of Physical Activity on Cardiovascular Risk and Quality of Life

Experimenteel: Physical, social and cultural activities

Gedragsmatig: Physical, social and cultural activities

This intervention included two 60-min aerobic exercise sessions per week. Each session was supervised by a physical activity specialist and walking and stretching exercises were performed after programmed exercise sessions. PHC nurses were prepared to advise patients about the health benefits of PA and used different strategies to encourage the adherence of participants to the program. In addition, social and cultural support activities were included in this intervention program. These activities were performed once a month and they included: visits to museums and libraries, cultural exhibitions, tourist attractions and dance lessons.

Geen tussenkomst: Control Group

No intervention. We will measure the variables at the begining and after 9 months.

Physical activity level

It will assess at baseline and final by using the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnarie (IPAQ-S) validated in the Catalan population. It provides a self-estimated number of hours dedicated to PA. The categories are: low, moderate and vigorous physical activity. IPAQ data will use to measure the total weekly Physical Activity level in metabolic equivalents (METs)/min/week by weighting time spent in each activity intensity level with an estimated metabolic equivalent (MET) energy expenditure

Cardiovascular risk.

All participants will be asked if they have ever been diagnosed of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, overweight or obesity. Blood pressure will be measured with a sphygmomanometer after participants have been sitting quietly for at least five minutes; three recordings will be taken and the average of the second and third readings will be use. The cardiovascular risk will be calculated for each participant using the REGICOR scale based on Framingham criteria standardized for the Spanish population .

Biochemical analysis.

The biochemical parameters to analyze will be: Triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol; glycated hemoglobin and glucose. A unique study profile has been created to analyze all these parameters at the Tarraco laboratory (ISO9001:2000 certified ICS Tarragona laboratory). Blood will be extracted by PHC nurses from the fasting users in the corresponding PCC at 8:00 am. The same professional will take it to the central laboratory using the standard sample transport procedure between PCC and the central laboratory.

Antropometric measurements.

Weight (kg) will be measured using a balance scale with the measurement taken to the nearest 0.1 kg. Height (cm) will be measured using a balance scale with the measurement taken to the nearest 1 cm. Weight and Height measurements will be then used to calculate the body mass index [BMI: Weight (kg)/ (Height) 2 (m2)]. Waist circumference (WC), will be measured finding the top of their hip bone and the bottom of their ribs. Threfore, the tape measure will be placed in the middle between these points and wrapped around the waist.

Frequency of food consumption

We will use a validated food frequency questionnaire to assess food consumption. Participants will be asked to report the number of times per week or month that certain foods will be consumed (45-items). Foods will be grouped according to their nutrient composition: dairy (milk, yogurt, dairy desserts, cheese); meat/fish/eggs (red, white, processed meat and cold meat, lean, fatty fish and shellfish); total cereals (rice, pasta, bread, breakfast cereals, legumes -all type-, chocolate, biscuits, pastries and candies); fruits/vegetables (salad, tomatoes; vegetables side dish: aubergine, courgette, mushrooms; green beans, chards, spinaches, fresh fruits and canned fruits); oils and beverages (sweetened beverages, fermented beverages and alcoholic beverages), then the amount of g/day of each item will be calculated from the ECA-REF study's reference values.

Health related quality of life

It will assess at baseline and final of the intervention with the Spanish version of the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). It consists of 36 items used to measure health status and outcomes from the patient's point of view, including the following 8 health concepts: physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role emotional, mental health. Two summary measures, the physical component summary (PCS) and the mental component summary (MCS), are derived from the last 8 health scores. Participant responses to each item gave a total numerical score which will transform to 0-100 scale, so that a higher score corresponds to a better health status.