NEWSTART: An 8-Week Faith-Based Health Promotion Program to Reduce Chronic Disease Risk Factors in the US

This single-group experimental study examined the effectiveness of NEWSTART, an 8-week health promotion program among adults in an Adventist Faith Community. Participants had a significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.03) with a moderate effect size (Cohen d = 0.68), reduction of daily sugar-sweetened beverage intake (p < 0.02) with a large effect size (Cohen d = 0.96), and an improvement in weekly moderate intensity exercise (p < 0.03) with a large effect size (Cohen d = .83). Participants met the fruit and vegetable intake recommendations and applying program principles to reduce chronic disease risk factors.