CHIP (Complete Health Improvement Program) is a community-run program aimed at prevention and reversal of classic chronic diseases. See 41 Scientific Articles about CHIP. Dr Greger's (see below) summarize these papers.

Review paper: The Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP) — History, Evaluation and Outcomes by Morton et al, Am J Lifestyle Med, 2016 Jan-Feb; 10(1):64-73.

A research paper that caught my attention was Participant Perceptions of a Community-based Lifestyle Intervention: the CHIP (2012) by Chan et al, Health Promot J Austr, 23(3), 177-182. This paper provides a glimpse into the psychological and practical aspects of adopting CHIP into our day to day life.

• Program Structure:
  • Lectures: 16 to 18 two-hour group sessions were provided over 4 to 12 weeks. This is a key part of CHIP: see List of 18 CHIP Information sessions (PDF).
    • CHIP sessions are delivered by trained volunteers using standardized session materials produced by the CHIP administrators.
    • A typical session consists of an instructional video, group discussion, cooking demonstrations, and an exercise component.
  • The goal of CHIP was for participants to consume plant-based whole foods, such as minimally processed vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and nuts. This was done through fostering selfcare and awareness of lifestyle habits.
  • Participants followed a self-monitoring regimen in terms of their lifestyle modifications. There was no direct monitoring of their adherence; trust and integrity were essential tenets of the program emphasized and conveyed to participants during recruitment and participation.
• Dietary goals:
  • Overall dietary fat was to be kept below 20% of total calories.
  • Daily intake of sugar less than 10 teaspoons.
  • Salt intake less than 2000 mg.
  • Cholesterol below 50 mg.
  • Fiber intake to be 35 to 40 grams.
• Non-dietary goals:
  • Stress management techniques were taught and encouraged for daily use.
  • Daily exercise of at least 30 minutes of moderate activity or 10,000 steps measured using a pedometer was encouraged.
  • Strength training and resistance exercises were encouraged for 20-30 minutes, 2-3 days per week.

Articles by Dr Greger:

• (2022) Which Diet Works Even Better the Longer You Do It?
• (2022) The "Optimal Diet" Is Put to the Test
• (2022) A Plant-Based Workplace Wellness Program Put to the Test
• (2022) Pivio: The Complete Health Improvement Program

Videos by Dr Greger:

In Jan 2020, El Camino Hospital had CHIP classes; see information session and classes.