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People
with Type 2 diabetes mellitus are at increased risk for coronary heart
disease (CHD). It is necessary for such individuals to engage in
regular exercise and to limit consumption of sodium, cholesterol, and saturated
fat, given that these behaviors are associated with atherosclerosis and
hyperte4nsion. It is also important for such individuals to process
health communications regarding these issues effectively and non-defensively.
However, they are unlikely to do so if they do not perceive high CHD risk.
The current study examines whether unrealistic optimism about CHD risk
in this population is associated with less exercise and poorer food choices,
and lowered retention and comprehension of related health communications.
Unlike past work, this study measures unrealistic optimism at the level
of the individual by comparing risk perceptions with an expert assessment
of personal risk (using a risk engine developed using data from the United
Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study). Moreover, effects of unrealistic
optimism are assessed in a prospective design. The second goal of
the study is to determine whether providing feedback about personal CHD
risk to people with Type 2 diabetes will influence their exercise levels
and food choices. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of
two arms -- an experimental arm in which risk feedback will be provided
in the context of social comparison (thereby providing a context with which
to interpret the feedback), self-affirmation (which protects the self-concept
from threatening information, given that th4e CHD risk information is likely
to be seen as threatening), and specific recommendations regarding how
one might adopt a rigorous exercise regimen and make dietary changes.
A control arm will receive only the risk feedback. It is hypothesized
that risk feedback will be more likely to influence exercise and food choices
(by a three-month follow-up) in the experimental condition.
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