225296 Obesity Reduction through Utilization of a Jackson Medical Mall for Mall-Walk in Jackson, MS

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Emmanuel Keku, MD, MA, MSPH , Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, St George's University, St George's, Grenada
John Kang, BS, MPH , School of Medicine, St. George's University, St. George, Grenada
Ahmed Hassan, BA , School of Medicine, St. George's University, St. George, Grenada
Marinelle Payton, MD, PhD, MS, MPH , Center of Excellence in Minority Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Services Research, School of Health Sciences, College of Public Service, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
Anthony R. Mawson, MA, DrPH , Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
  
Objectives: To promote weight reduction through Mall-Walk in Jackson Medical Mall, Jackson, MS with a 0.32-mile route on the periphery of the internal court.

Methods: 260 overweight African-Americans study participants (BMI>=25) between ages 18 and 65 residing within 10 miles of Jackson Medical Mall were randomly assigned to one of three Mall-Walk groups. Participants assigned to Group A (Control) had access to the Mall-Walk exercise facility only. Along with having access to Mall-Walk exercise facility, participants assigned to Group B (Counselor) and Group C (Peer) received systematic and scheduled encouragement from trained counselor and peer interventionists, respectively. A trained staff documented height, weight, adiposity and waist circumference using standardized protocol and weekly calibrated Tanita's TBF-410 Body Fat Scale for 6 months of follow-up. Results: The baseline mean weight for 225 study participants, after exclusion of 35 participants because of incomplete data, was 177.78lbs (SD=38.97). Baseline mean weight for Groups A, B, and C were 175.51lbs (SD=38.23), 183.42lbs (SD=42.99) and 188.70lbs (SD=28.07), respectively. No significant changes in mean weights of the three groups (Groups A, B, and C) were detected between the baseline and follow-up mean weights six months later. The only weight differences resulted from Group C (peer), where the follow-up mean weight was 183.45lbs (SD=26.68) or a weight loss of 5.25lbs. An independent t-Test showed no significant difference between age and gender participants in the amount of weight lost.

Conclusion: The study showed that regular Mall-Walk with a partner or friend can lead to weight loss.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1) Discuss the importance of Mall-Walk in an enclosed Medical Mall for exercise and hence, weight control 2) Demonstrate that exercise with a partner or friend (peer) fascilitate or ensures regular exercise, and hence, weight loss

Keywords: Interventions, Weight Management

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a trained public health researcher (medical epidemologist) and physician/ medical doctor. My education include: MD, MA, MSPH
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.

Back to: 4321.0: Epidemiology of asthma, physical activity, obesity and nutrition poster session