Heart Health Study in Washington D.C. to Develop a Community-Based Behavioral Weight Loss Intervention

Obesity leads to an increased risk of cardiovascular risk factors and death from cardiovascular disease. Therefore, interventions that slow or reverse the obesity epidemic are essential. Community-based interventions can reach those most at risk for obesity and obesity-related cardiovascular risk factors. Interventions based on community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles develop in collaboration with community partners, allowing an intervention s components to be tailored to the unique needs of the community members. To remain consistent with CBPR principles, a community assessment is necessary to understand the needs of the target population. Therefore, we propose a cardiovascular health screening and needs assessment of a sample population from churches or faith-based organizations in DC, Maryland, and Virginia where obesity prevalence is highest and resources for physical activity and healthy nutrition are most limited. The screening will involve measuring cardiovascular health factors such as body mass index (BMI), physical activity, dietary intake, total cholesterol, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, and cigarette smoking. Based on American Heart Association-established goals, cardiovascular health factors can be defined as ideal, intermediate, or poor, depending on control of risk factors and lifestyle behaviors. In this protocol, we will determine the prevalence of ideal, intermediate, and poor cardiovascular health factors within the church or faith-based organization population. We hypothesize that the percentage of the church or faith-based organization population that meets ideal criteria for each of the cardiovascular health factors will be lower than the percentage meeting intermediate and poor criteria for the cardiovascular health factors. In addition, we will evaluate the use of handheld technology for objectively measuring physical activity and the use of web-based technology for monitoring cardiovascular health factors within the population. We will also evaluate social determinants of health, particularly psychosocial and environmental factors that might hinder weight loss. Finally, we will establish a community advisory board to consult on the planning and implementation of the assessment, and the interpretation and dissemination of study findings. The results of this community-based, cardiovascular health and needs assessment will inform the design and implementation of a future community-based behavioral weight loss intervention.