Grant: CIHR Fellowship

Chronic diseases are responsible for most deaths in Canada. Importantly, we know that changes in 4 health behaviours, namely being more active, healthy eating, quitting smoking, and low to moderate alcohol drinking can prevent a large number of chronic diseases. However, it is not clear how to successfully help Canadians improve these lifestyle behaviours at the lowest health care costs. In this project, study participants across Canada will be invited to take part in a 3-month health program (ACCELERATION Program) focusing on improving 4 health behaviours (physical activity, healthy eating, quitting smoking and low to moderate alcohol intake). Upon completion, half of the participants will be invited to join an online social networking program. This online program, accessible through computers and smart phones, will be used to monitor and encourage healthy behaviours. Two profiles of participants will be invited: 1) people considered at high risk for chronic diseases (for example, because they are obese); and 2) 'friends and family' of patients who have suffered a serious medical event (for example, a heart attack). We aim to find out whether the ACCELERATION program is effective at improving the 4 targeted health behaviours identified previously. Specifically, we want to find out whether the online social networking program will help participants sustain positive behaviour changes over time. We also want to find out which participant profile, that is 'people at high risk' or 'friends and family', will show the greatest improvement in health behaviours over time. A total of 3000 participants will be recruited in Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. Participants' health and behaviours will be monitored at 3 time points: before and after the 3-month program, and 6 months after the end of the program. Findings from this study will inform strategies to promote healthy lifestyle behaviours that can prevent chronic diseases among all Canadians.