Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Maria E. Mesa, MNS, RD, LD¹, Yolanda G. Martinez, EdPhD, PhD², Martha E. Ruiz, MA, BA¹, and Adeeb Sarvari, MS, RD, LD¹. (1) WIC and Nutrition Services Department, Orange County Health Department, 6101 Lake Ellenor Dr, Orlando, FL 32809, 407-858-1400, ext 1205, maria_mesa@doh.state.fl.us, (2) Office of Minority Health, Orange County Health Department, 6101 Lake Ellenor Dr., Orlando, FL 32809

Studies show that post-partum weight retention is one of the contributors to the obesity epidemic in the United States. According to Crowell (1995), “women who gain excessive weight during pregnancy are at risk for postpartum weight retention and long-term obesity.” In addition Gore, Brown and West 2003 show that “excessive post-partum weight retention seems to be especially prevalent among minority women.” A study conducted by O'Toole, Sawicki and Artal (2003) revealed that post partum women who made a commitment to attend a class in a self-directed intervention “had a high likelihood of successful weight loss that persisted at one year.“ The study also showed that women who were overweight prior to pregnancy were less likely to lose the pregnancy-related weight without a formal intervention. In this presentation the authors will discuss a 6-month goal-based behavioral and cross cultural intervention for post-partum women. The project entitled Better weight for A Better You (BABY) seeks to promote healthy weight among 480 post-partum overweight and obese Black and Hispanic women. The 6-months intervention will consist of 25 weeks of class sessions using a modified version of the highly successful Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), a lifestyle intervention curriculum entitled Lifestyle Balance (Diabetes Care, 2002). BABY is being implemented in neighborhood community centers. Lessons learned from the first year indicate that the success of the program lies in the cultural and linguistic appropriateness of the intervention. In addition, we have learned that the program is not only impacting the individual participants but their entire families.

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

• Recognize the importance of incorporating a culturally relevant intervention to address health related issues such as obesity and overweight in minority women.
• Identify specific ways to address minority women’s needs for participation in community-based programs.
• Identify and modify an existing and successful curriculum to meet the weight management needs of minority women.

Keywords: Minority Health, Weight Management

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No