African American faith-based group changes behavior

 

Healthy Rewards participants learn to make healthy meals.

Across the United States, African Americans typically exhibit a greater prevalence of many types of chronic disease (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, stroke and cancer) as well as the debilitating complications from these conditions. The African American community in Sacramento County is disproportionately affected by obesity, heart disease, diabetes, cancer and stroke.

Large randomized interventions targeting African American populations have shown that type 2 diabetes can be prevented with lifestyle interventions, specifically a low-fat diet, physical activity and a modest amount of weight loss. Educational interventions that prevent diabetes and other diseases have been shown to be cost-effective.

 

 
UC specialists, a UC Cooperative Extension advisor and staff collaborated with African American faith-based groups to change nutrition behaviors (shopping, cooking, eating) and encourage physical activity in adults at risk of obesity and diabetes. Two faith-based congregations were recruited to participate in Healthy Rewards, a community program developed by the UC Health Promotion Workgroup. Through individualized goal-setting activities, the Healthy Rewards program helps participants take action to improve their diet and physical activity patterns. Five weekly Healthy Rewards classes were conducted at two locations in Sacramento. The UC Health Promotion workgroup presented an additional class on types of diabetes, screening and disease prevention to address specific concerns of this community.
 

 
At enrollment in the classes, the participants self-reported several health problems, including hypertension (60 percent), high blood cholesterol (35 percent), and diabetes (33 percent). Sixteen adults, ages 41 to 80 years, completed the five-week session. One month after the end of the classes, participants reported using the Nutrition Facts label more often and eating a greater variety of fruit and vegetables than they did before the classes.
 

 
Healthy Rewards participants share the following comments:

“I am using this training to make better food choices. Before buying, I always check the labels. If foods have too much fat, sugar etc., I won’t buy.”

“This was a very interesting class. I enjoyed attending. The lunches were good.”

“I will train family members and better monitor eating and lifestyle habits.”

“Very well done – great information.”
 

Gloria Barrett
4145 Branch Center Road
Sacramento, CA 95927-3898
916-875-6520
gjbarrett@ucdavis.edu