An exemplar of community based participatory research: The living well by faith health and wellness program for african americans

Background: Using Community Based Participatory Research as a guiding framework, a faith-based diet, nutrition and physical activity intervention for African Americans was implemented and evaluated as a small scale randomized trial.

Methods: Five churches were recruited (intervention = 3, control = 2) resulting in an enrolled sample of 106 (intervention = 74, control= 32) men and women. The control group received a minimal intervention consisting of one educational workshop. Based on recommendations obtained from church members as part of four CBPR community summits, the Living Well By Faith intervention group received a more intensive 8-week program. Classes were held twice a week and included educational workshops, as well as exercise sessions. Both interventions were delivered at participating churches. Assessments for program evaluation occurred at baseline and 2-month follow-up. These included weight, blood pressure, resting heart rate, percent body fat, and physical fitness using the step test.

Results: The sample was predominantly African American, female and well educated. At baseline, no significant differences between intervention and control groups were found for any of the primary endpoints. At 2 months follow up, the intervention group, compared to the control group, showed significant decreases in weight (p<0.02), BMI (p<0.05), systolic blood pressure (p<0.10), and % body fat (p<0.03), with a significant increase in physical fitness (p<0.02).

Conclusion: This study provides an exemplar of CBPR research. Despite the fact that the intervention was only of 2 months duration, significant short-term effects were found.