Program successfully pairs smoking cessation with increased fruit and vegetable consumption among construction workers
Tools for Health was a randomized controlled trial that tested a cancer prevention intervention for construction workers. A new study examining this trial (“Multiple Health Behavior Changes in a Cancer Prevention Intervention for Construction Workers, 2001-2003,” Preventing Chronic Disease Volume 7: No. 3, May 2010) reveals that participants simultaneously achieved substantial levels of smoking cessation and increases in fruit and vegetable consumption.
The
intervention, which consisted of tailored telephone counseling, was
designed for high-risk blue-collar workers. Participants were primarily
white, non-Hispanic men, who reported completing high school or the
equivalent. Targeting blue-collar workers is significant from a health
disparities perspective because smoking is twice as prevalent among
blue-collar workers as among white-collar workers. In addition,
blue-collar, low-wage workers are less likely than white-collar workers
to eat healthy foods or consume recommended amounts of fruits and
vegetables.
Researchers
hypothesized that participants who quit smoking during the intervention
would not report an increase in fruit and vegetable consumption, but
results indicated otherwise. To gain insight into the link between these
two behaviors, researchers examined transcripts from small-group
discussions conducted during the formative phase of Tools for Health.
The researchers listed various themes that emerged from these
discussions, which they believe link smoking cessation with fruit and
vegetable intake. These themes include the following:
- Improving overall health served as a reason for both wanting to quit smoking and to improve eating habits.
- Participants believed quitting smoking led to weight gain, so those that quit may have been more likely to go on a diet.
- Some participants felt that food – presumably including fruits and vegetables – tasted better during the quit attempt.
- During quit attempts, participants needed something to do with their hands. Because fruit and vegetable preparation and consumption requires handling, increasing consumption may have offered a substitute for keeping a smoker’s hands busy.
The complete article is available at: http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2010/May/09_0101.htm?s_cid=pcd73a55_x
