Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #102281

Karen Hye-cheon Kim, PhD, Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 323B Rosenau Hall, CB #7440, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7440, 919-966-0246, kkim@email.unc.edu, Laura A. Linnan, ScD, CHES, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, UNC Chapel Hill School of Public Health, CB #7440, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7440, and Marci K. Campbell, RD MPH PHD, Nutrition Dept, University of North Carolina, CB 7400, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.

OBJECTIVES: Obesity is a major U.S. public health problem of epidemic proportions that needs to be controlled. Community-based participatory research offers an innovative way to translate research into feasible and sustainable approaches to address multiple levels of obesity through engaging and empowering communities. However, few community-based weight loss programs have utilized a participatory approach. Thus a theory driven, faith-based weight loss intervention was developed, implemented, and evaluated in partnership with a rural African American faith community.

METHODS: In collaboration with the WORD leadership team (community representatives), a 2 group, quasi-experimental, delayed intervention design (Treatment n= 36; Control n=37) was designed, implemented, and evaluated. Weekly small groups led by trained members of the WORD leadership team met for 8 weeks, and emphasized healthy nutrition, physical activity, and faith's connection with health.

RESULTS: The mean weight loss of the treatment group was 3.6±4.0 lbs compared to the 0.48±2.6 lb loss of the control group at 8-weeks. The treatment group also reported significantly higher levels of physical activity (p=0.002) and social self-efficacy than the control group (p=0.03)

CONCLUSIONS: A pilot community-based weight loss intervention developed in collaboration with African American churches resulted in statistically significant weight loss among treatment participants, compared to control participants. Implications for practice (e.g. design/development of an obesity control program targeting rural African Americans faith communities) and for future research (e.g. most effective use of participatory research methods; longer term effectiveness and dissemination studies, etc) will be discussed in light of these findings.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to

• Recognize the innovative role community-based participatory approaches can bring to obesity control interventions
• Apply a community-based participatory research approach to faith-based obesity interventions

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.