Project WHADE: A Partner-Based Physical Activity Program for Women

The purpose of this study is to test the feasibility and acceptability of a new method for supporting physical activity in women ages 40-65 who have risk markers for cardiovascular disease. The primary goal is to understand perceptions of support and communication patterns between partner dyads of women in midlife (ages 40-65). The creation of these partner dyads is a promising method for promoting social support and physical activity for this population. Understanding how partners communicate with one another throughout this intervention study will give insight into how women in this population maximize benefits from partnership through communication and shared experiences (e.g., age, gender, cardiovascular disease risk, interest in being more physically active).

Inclusion criteria

• One or more of the following health conditions: smoking (current or quit in the last 3 months), or a physician diagnosis of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, prehypertension or hypertension (high blood pressure), hypercholesterolemia or hyperlipidemia(high cholesterol), or metabolic syndrome
• Engaging in less in less than 6500 steps per day or less than 90 minutes of structured exercise per week
• Access to personal mobile device
• Fluent in English

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnant or intend to become pregnant in the next 9 weeks,
• Medical or psychiatric situation that hinders the ability to perform physical activity
• None one of the following cardiovascular risk behaviors or conditions: smoking, diagnosed prediabetes/type 2 diabetes, prehypertension/hypertension, high cholesterol, or metabolic syndrome
• Not fluent in English,
• No access to a personal mobile device