Behavioral group therapy for hypercholesterolemia in a public health center

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Behavior Therapy Vol. 17; no. 1; pp. 1 - 11
• Main Authors: Adachi, Y., Nakasone, N., Meno, T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japanese Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies( JABCT ) 31.03.1991
• Subjects: behavior medicine; behavior therapy; group health education; hypercholesterolemia; National Cholesterol Education Programme
• DOI: 10.24468/jjbt.17.1_1
• ISSN: 0910-6529

Behavior modification techniques as target setting, self-monitoring, reinforcement were applyed to 12 women with hypercholesterolemia in a public health center. The subject's mean age and serum total cholesterol level were 57.5 yrs and 286.5 mg/dl (range 256-329 mg/dl). According to the Step One Diet recommended in the National Cholesterol Education Programme in USA, they were educated for 5 weekly sessions as to knowledge of lipid, food selection and exercize. The targets of behavior modification were well balanced food selection, shift from saturated fatty acid to unsaturated fatty acid, restriction of dietary cholesterol intake, energy restriction, habits of exercise, and correct knowledge of blood lipoprotain. Self-monitoring of food diary was ordered and self-evaluated as to nutritional balance, intake of fat, oil, and cholesterol at every sessions. After 3 months the subjects were checked again on blood lipoprotein, ECG, blood pressure, body weight, and dietary and physical activity questionnaires. Results indicated that the intervention was associated with 31mg (11%) fall in total cholesterol, 37mg (18%) fall in LDL-cholesterol, 8 mg (21%) rise in HDL-cholesterol, and 1.5 (32%) fall in LDLcholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio. Eating and exercise habits were improved desirably and knowledge of lipid became better than before.