A community-based, culturally relevant intervention to promote healthy eating and physical activity among middle-aged African American women in rural Alabama: findings from a group randomized controlled trial.
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ABSTRACT: We examined the efficacy of a community-based, culturally relevant intervention to promote healthy eating and physical activity among African American (AA) women between the ages of 45-65 years, residing in rural Alabama.We conducted a group randomized controlled trial with counties as the unit of randomization that evaluated two interventions based on health priorities identified by the community: (1) promotion of healthy eating and physical activity; and (2) promotion of breast and cervical cancer screening. A total of 6 counties with 565 participants were enrolled in the study between November 2009 and October 2011.The overall retention rate at 24-month follow-up was 54.7%. Higher retention rate was observed in the "healthy lifestyle" arm (63.1%) as compared to the "screening" arm (45.3%). Participants in the "healthy lifestyle" arm showed significant positive changes compared to the "screening" arm at 12-month follow-up with regard to decrease in fried food consumption and an increase in both fruit/vegetable intake and physical activity. At 24-month follow-up, these positive changes were maintained with healthy eating behaviors, but not engagement in physical activity.A culturally relevant intervention, developed in collaboration with the target audience, can improve (and maintain) healthy eating among AA women living in rural areas.
SUBMITTER: Scarinci IC
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4469991 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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