Physical activity and nutrition program for adults with metabolic syndrome: Process evaluation

• Published in: Evaluation and program planning Vol. 61; pp. 128 - 133
• Main Authors: Tran, Van Dinh, Jancey, Jonine, Lee, Andy, James, Anthony, Howat, Peter, Thi Phuong Mai, Le
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-04-2017; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Activities; Activity level; Aged; Behavior change; Data; Diet; Dietary behaviours; Evaluation; Exercise; Exit interviews; Female; Fidelity; Formative Evaluation; Health Behavior; Health promotion; Health Promotion - organization & administration; Humans; Intervention; Life Style; Lifestyle; Lifestyles; Male; Metabolic syndrome; Metabolic Syndrome - therapy; Middle Aged; Nutrition; Nutrition programmes; Patient Satisfaction; Physical Activities; Physical activity; Physical Activity Level; Physical fitness; Process evaluation; Program Evaluation; Project evaluation; Resistance; Vietnam; Walking; Vietnam; Lifestyle; Dietary behaviours; Physical activity; Metabolic syndrome; Health promotion; Process evaluation
• ISSN: 0149-7189; 1873-7870
• DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2016.12.012

•This process evaluation is the first to be conducted in a lifestyle intervention program in Vietnam.•Comprehensive process evaluation was undertaken using qualitative and quantitative data collection methods.•The Vietnam Physical Activity and Nutrition (VPAN) program reached and engaged the majority of participants throughout the course of six-month intervention.•Printed resources, face-to-face education sessions and waking groups were found to be suitable strategies to engage participants and support health enhancing lifestyle behaviours in these Vietnamese adults.
The Vietnam Physical Activity and Nutrition (VPAN) program aimed to improve physical activity and nutrition for adults aged 50–65 years with Metabolic Syndrome in Vietnam. The VPAN program consisted of a range of resources and strategies, including an information booklet, resistance band, face-to-face education sessions, and walking groups. This process evaluation assessed the participation, fidelity, satisfaction, and reasons for completing and not-completing the VPAN.
Data were collected by mixed-methods from a sample of 214 intervention participants. Quantitative data were collected via surveys (n=163); qualitative data via face-to-face exit interviews with intervention program completers (n=10) and non-completers (n=10), and brief post education session discussions.
Most participants (87%–96%) reported the program resources and strategies useful, assisting them to increase their physical activity level and improving their diet. The education sessions were the most preferred strategy (97%) with high attendance (>78% of participants). The main reasons for withdrawal were work commitments and being too busy.
The evaluation indicated that the program reached and engaged the majority of participants throughout the six-month intervention. The combination of printed resources and face-to-face intervention components was a suitable approach to support lifestyle behavioural change in the Vietnamese population.