Using community-based participatory research to inform chronic disease prevention programming at a grassroots community organization in Pacoima, California

Pacoima Beautiful (PB), a grassroots organization, partnered with the UCLA Cancer Prevention & Control Research Network to assess chronic disease prevention needs in Pacoima, California. Using participatory approaches, PB and UCLA, collected local data about physical activity (PA) & nutrition needs, resources, and barriers. Working closely with community residents, a questionnaire and sampling plan were developed. Four residents completed human subjects research ethics and survey administration training. A convenience sample (N = 200, ages 18-63) was recruited at public locations (laundromats, parks, etc.) from May-August, 2011. Respondents (58% female, mean age=34) were largely low-income (45% annual household income <$17,000) and Latino (94%); 20% monolingual Spanish speakers. About two-thirds (64%) were overweight/obese, 42% reported low PA levels (International PA Questionnaire), and 96% reported consuming < 5 fruit/vegetables per day. Low PA was more common among women than men (58% v. 29%, p<.001). Commonly cited barriers to PA included: traffic, making it difficult to take walks (55%) or bicycle (52%), and lack of affordable exercise facilities (49%), reports of which varied by age (p < .01) and were most common among ages 46-65 (72%) and least common among ages 18-25 (38%). Fruit/vegetables were reportedly available by 87% of respondents, yet many reported not understanding nutrition labels (51%) or knowing “how to cook healthy meals” (40%). A community dialogue is planned to discuss survey results. Potential strategies to address behavioral and environmental barriers include revitalization of public spaces for PA and incorporation of nutrition and healthy cooking education to community garden activities.