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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Catherine M. Waters, PhD, RN, Carmen J. Portillo, PhD, RN, FAAN, Barbara Northern, MSPH, CHES, Saidah Jones, BA, CCS, Qiana Quinn, BA, LaConnie Taylor-Jones, MPH, MBA, Gloria Brown, MPA, and Shirley Manly-Lampkin, RN, PhD. Community Health Systems, University of California, San Francisco, 2 Koret Way, Mailstop 0608, Room N505, San Francisco, CA 94143, 4155027995, catherine.waters@nursing.ucsf.edu

PURPOSE: Positive health outcomes of effective cancer prevention and control are well known, however, ethnic minorities have not benefited equally from these efforts. Study purpose was to examine a sociocultural, prevention intervention based on social cognitive theory. NuFIT for Life targeted African American adults who were overweight and sedentary. METHODS: Design was a community based, randomized controlled trial. The Afrocentric intervention consisted of 12 weeks of individual and group physical activity combined with 6 weeks of group health education. The sample size consisted of 100 persons living in San Francisco Bay Area communities: 50 intervention and 50 control. RESULTS: Results of repeated measures ANOVA to assess changes at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months indicate statistically significant positive changes in the intervention group as compared to the control group on the following mediating and outcome variables: physical activity, physical activity self efficacy, exercise knowledge, fruits, vegetables and fat intake, dietary self efficacy, knowledge of healthy eating, quality of life, body mass index, social support and enjoyment of exercise and healthy eating. IMPLICATIONS: We know that health behavior is culturally and socially influenced. Using community and culturally based lifestyle health behavior strategies that fit within the context of people's everyday lives may reduce and eventually eliminate cancer and other health disparities. SUSTAINABILITY: By collaborating with community partners from different sectors and focusing on the implementation of lifestyle health behaviors that are designed to fit into the infrastructure of one's community, the NuFIT for Life intervention can be sustained. Funded by American Cancer Society, National (RSGT-04-257-01 CPPB)

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the effects of the NuFIT (Nutrition & Fitness for Life) physical activity and nutrition intervention on the health outcomes of overweight, sedentary African Americans.
• Describe the successful and challenging components of a culturally focused, community based physical activity and nutrition intervention for African Americans.

Keywords: Cancer Prevention, Community-Based Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation