Beyond the Pew: Use of a Culturally Appropriate Congregational Health Needs Assessment to Develop and Implement Obesity and Diabetes Interventions in a Large African American Baptist Church in South Los Angeles

Since 2009, the rates of obesity in adults and adolescents in Los Angeles County have significantly increased.  Presently, 23.6% of residents in Los Angeles County are obese. In addition, 22.4% of adolescents (grades 5, 7, and 9) are obese.  However, in South Los Angeles, the rates of obesity are significantly higher for adults at 32.7% and 29% for adolescents as compared to LA County with African Americans experiencing higher mortality than any other racial/ethnic group. Although it has been well documented that obesity is the leading cause for coronary heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, insufficient attention has been given to role of spirituality as a meditating factor in the interplay of social, psychological, and environmental factors that influence health behavior outcomes. In efforts to address obesity and diabetes in the African American community, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and USC Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement partnered with New Mount Calvary Baptist Church to implement a two year pilot obesity and diabetes intervention program funded by the California Community Foundation. This presentation will highlight preliminary findings from a comprehensive 49 question health needs assessment of over 300 congregants to address individual obesity and/or diabetes risk in relation to five domains of health. Initial results indicated that 21% of respondents had been diagnosed with diabetes, 39% high cholesterol, 12% high blood pressure, and 18% with other chronic conditions. Findings from this research are being used to implement faith-based derived obesity and diabetes interventions including education, lifestyle interventions, and linkages to health care.