The relationship between behavior change strategies, physical activity, and fruit and vegetable intake following a cardiac event

Objective: To assess expectations for recovery and use of behavior change strategies as predictors of subsequent diet and physical activity among adults recently hospitalized for a cardiac event. Design: Quasi-experimental design in which adults with recent cardiac event-related hospitalization completed surveys assessing health behaviors and attitudes immediately post-discharge and three months later. Results: Among those completing the study (n = 323), positive expectations about recovery and more frequent use of behavior change skills predicted greater physical activity and better nutrition at follow-up. In multivariate models, baseline health behavior was a significant predictor of physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake at follow-up (alpha = 0.05). Conclusions: Individuals participating in physical activity and eating a heart-healthy diet approximately three months after cardiac hospitalization possessed behavior change skills. Early intervention is critical as health behaviors occurring just days after hospitalization predicted future health behavior.