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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Peg Allen, MPH¹, Janice L. Thompson, PhD, FACSM², Venita Wolfe, BA³, Novaline Wilson, MPH³, Ayn Whyte, BS³, Georgia Perez³, and Carla J. Herman, MD, MPH¹. (1) Geriatrics Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, 1720 Louisiana Blvd. NE, Suite 312, Albuquerque, NM 87110, 505-272-0823, marallen@salud.unm.edu, (2) Department of Exercise and Health Sciences, Centre for Sport, Exercise and Health, The University of Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TP, United Kingdom, (3) Office of Native American Diabetes Programs, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, 1720 Louisiana Blvd. NE, Suite 312, Albuquerque, NM 87110

Background: Native Americans experience higher rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes compared to the general U.S. population. Urban-dwelling Native Americans are underserved in prevention programs.

Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial with 200 urban Native American volunteer women aged 18-40; 100 women randomized into the intervention group received the intervention between baseline and 6-month measures. The culturally guided intervention included monthly group discussion-format sessions on eating more vegetables and less saturated fat and added sugars, goal setting and social support. Measures included the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire, 24-hour dietary recall, self-reported physical activity, fasting blood glucose and insulin and a submaximal bicycle fitness test.

Results: At 6-months, the intervention group showed significant mean increases from baseline in vegetable and fruit servings per week and decreases in fat intake (servings/day) and sugared soft drink intake (ounces/day) compared to the control group (p<0.05). Intervention women reduced their fasting blood sugar levels compared to the control group (p=0.004). Among overweight women (body mass index ³ 25.0 kg/m²), more intervention than control group women lost weight (59.7% versus 39.3%, p=.04). At 6-months, 74% of the intervention group met physical activity recommendations of at least 150 minutes/week of moderate intensity activity or 60 minutes/week of vigorous activity, compared to 64% at baseline, while in the control group the percentage of women meeting activity recommendations declined. Cardiorespiratory fitness changes were statistically similar across the groups.

Conclusion: Group sessions helped women improve healthful eating and physical activity patterns. Formalized physical activity could enhance these findings.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe 3 dietary components addressed in the healthy lifestyles curriculum.
• Identify 2 methods for assessing dietary intake and physical activity.
• Discuss 2 strategies that could improve the healthy lifestyles program.

Keywords: American Indians, Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation