220475 Project Health: Addressing the health hazards posed by the epidemic of obesity and CVD among African-American youth in Mississippi

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Brenda W. Jenkins, MPH, PhD , Jackson Heart Study/Project Health, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
Clifton C. Addison, PhD , Jackson Heart Study/Project Health, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
Monique S. White, MPH , Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
Lavon Young, MPH , Jackson Heart Study/Project Health, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
Background: The increasing obesity trend has far-reaching consequences in Mississippi as obesity plays an important role in the development of hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, CHD, and stroke. Obesity related morbidity account for 7.0% of U.S health care costs. As a result, the Mississippi State Department of Health has challenged schools, individuals, communities, and professionals to take steps to ensure that good health, as well as long life, is enjoyed by all.

Purpose: The study exposed African-American students to instruction that was developed to serve as a health promotion tool for children at risk for premature cardiovascular diseases.

Significance: High school students in Mississippi were exposed to instruction in a classroom setting to help them develop the capacity to reduce risk behaviors that lead to chronic disease.

Method: The students were administered a pre-test to determine their level of awareness regarding CVD and their daily practices and behaviors. Upon completion of the activities, the students were administered a post-test to determine knowledge gained and possible changes in behaviors and practices. The pretest and posttest were compared to assess the impact of the intervention activities. Results: Students' behaviors changed in several of the categories after the intervention. The results of the study indicate that the Project Health prevention/intervention program positively impacted student behaviors and practices, thus showing great promise as a tool to help them improve their quality of life.

Conclusions: Implementing this program to increase weight maintenance, weight reduction, and health should become a public health priority and an education priority.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Advocacy for health and health education

Learning Objectives:
1.Discuss the significance and applications of intervention methods/program development at the school level. 2.Name intervention approaches based on behavioral and social science theories, research and principles. 3.Evaluate the benefit of intervention programs to the health status of adolescents.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, African American

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have participated in this research, I am co-PI of Project Health, I have been involved in research with the Jackson Heart Study for the past 11 years, and I have considerably experience in public speaking and presentations, having presented at APHA in the past.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.