Feasibility of an Evidence-Based Weight Loss Intervention for a Faith-Based, Rural, African American Population || Preventing Chronic Disease: November 2011: 10_0194

 

Feasibility of an Evidence-Based Weight Loss Intervention for a Faith-Based, Rural, African American Population

Karen Hye-cheon Kim Yeary, PhD; Carol E. Cornell, PhD; Jerome Turner; Page Moore, PhD; Zoran Bursac, PhD; T. Elaine Prewitt, DrPH; Delia Smith West, PhD

Suggested citation for this article: Yeary KH, Cornell CE, Turner J, Moore P, Bursac Z, Prewitt TE, West DS. Feasibility of an evidence-based weight loss intervention for a faith-based, rural, African American population. Prev Chronic Dis 2011;8(6):A146. http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2011/nov/10_0194.htm. Accessed [date].

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Abstract

Background
African Americans and rural residents are disproportionately affected by obesity. Innovative approaches to address obesity that are sensitive to the issues of rural African Americans are needed. Faith-based and community-based participatory approaches show promise for engaging racial/ethnic minorities to change health outcomes, but few faith-based weight loss interventions have used a community-based participatory approach.
Community ContextA faith-based weight loss intervention in the Lower Mississippi Delta arose from a 5-year partnership between academic and community partners representing more than 30 churches and community organizations.
MethodsCommunity and academic partners translated the 16 core sessions of the Diabetes Prevention Program for rural, church-going African American adults. The feasibility of the lay health advisor–led delivery of the 16-week (January-May 2010), 16-session, adapted intervention was assessed in 26 participants from 3 churches by measuring recruitment, program retention, implementation ease, participant outcomes, and program satisfaction.
OutcomeTwenty-two of 26 participants (85%) provided 16-week follow-up data. Lay health advisors reported that all program components were easy to implement except the self-monitoring component. Participants lost an average of 2.34 kg from baseline to 16-week follow-up, for a mean weight change of −2.7%. Participants reported enjoying the spiritual and group-based aspects of the program and having difficulties with keeping track of foods consumed. The intervention engaged community partners in research, strengthened community-academic partnerships, and built community capacity.
InterpretationThis study demonstrates the feasibility of delivering this adapted intervention by lay leaders through rural churches

full-text:
Preventing Chronic Disease: November 2011: 10_0194