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Table 1 Summary Box: Healthy Lifestyle Education Sessions

From: Impact evaluation of a healthy lifestyle intervention to reduce cardiovascular disease risk in health centers in San José, Costa Rica and Chiapas, Mexico

Session Title

Content

Aim of the session

I want my heart to be healthy and strong

•Modifiable and non-modifiable cardiovascular risk factors and protective factors

•Stages of change and how to overcome barriers

Participants will be able to relate lifestyle habits with risk factors and protective factors for chronic disease development, and be prepared to make changes.

Healthy eating with the family

•Healthy diet

•Food groups

•Quantity, quality and variety

Participants will develop a conceptual understanding of healthy diet and how to apply it at home.

I manage my blood pressure

•What is blood pressure and how it affects the body and its impact on work, social life and the family

•Normal blood pressure

•Recommendations and dietary changes

•Reading food labels

Have participants feel that they are able to improve their diet to control their blood pressure.

I manage my diabetes

•What is diabetes

•Carbohydrates and glycaemia

•Easy steps for a diet for people with diabetes

•Medications for diabetics and treatment recommendations

Participants will understand basic concepts about diabetes, and self-management focusing on diet and medications.

Steps for having a healthy and strong heart

•What are cholesterol and triglycerides

•Normal and elevated values

•Recommendations for lifestyle change

•Dietary change and recipes

Participants will be able to identify resources within reach to incorporate self-care and lifestyle change into their lives.

Say yes to physical activity and self-care

•Physical activity

•Mental health

•Communication with the family

Participants will be able to identify healthy behavior for maintaining a healthy heart and preventing complications.

  1. Source: Manual for Corazón Pura Vida (San José, Costa Rica) and Corazón Sano y Fuerte (Chiapas, Mexico), 2011