Intensive Counseling Has Limited Value in Encouraging Physical Activity

Studies of interventions to increase physical activity among high-risk individuals have been limited by imprecisely described interventions and outcome measures, short follow-up, and high attrition rates. Generally, effect sizes have been small.

In an attempt to overcome these shortcomings, British investigators randomly divided 321 nondiabetic adults (mean age, 41) with parental histories of type 2 diabetes into three groups. Each participant received a flyer by mail that encouraged increased physical activity. Two of the groups also received 5 months of standardized, intensive, theory-based counseling on behavior-change strategies, which was provided primarily by phone to one group and primarily in face-to-face home visits to the other. Al…