StrongPeople Strong Hearts

Six-month, 48-class cardiovascular risk reduction program for midlife and older adults combining exercise, nutrition education, and civic engagement on local environments.

StrongPeople™ Strong Hearts (SPSH) is a cardiovascular disease risk reduction program for midlife and older adults designed to improve diet and physical activity behaviors, assess local food and physical environment resources, and shift social norms about active living and healthy eating. The program consists of experiential one-hour group classes twice weekly for six months (48 classes) addressing multiple levels of the socioecological model (individual, social, and environmental levels). Class activities include aerobic exercise; strength training; instruction, discussion, and activities related to nutrition, physical activity, stress, and social support; and civic engagement activities to increase awareness and knowledge of aspects of the local food and physical environment that make healthy living easier or more difficult.

Evidence: Research-tested; two RCTs showed reduced BMI/weight and improved cardiovascular risk (Simple 7) and fitness.

• Visit the resource website