Recruitment of obese black women into a physical activity and nutrition intervention trial.
BACKGROUND
Despite the increased health risks for obese Black women, relatively little research has explored physical activity and nutrition interventions for these women. This article describes the recruitment strategies used in a program designed specifically for obese Black women.


METHODS
Recruitment of Black women age 30 to 65 years with body mass indices between 30 kg/m2and 50 kg/m2was completed using in-person recruitment and flyers within 2 miles of the intervention site along with mass e-mails within the sponsoring university system. Medical clearance from a physician was an eligibility requirement because of Institutional Review Board safety concerns.


RESULTS
Of the 690 women who were screened, 213 (31%) were eligible and randomized. The most common reason for exclusion was failure to return a medical clearance form (n = 167, 39% of ineligible). Different rates of efficiency were noted across recruitment approaches.


CONCLUSIONS
Black women were successfully recruited using in-person community recruitment, e-mail, and community flyers within close proximity to the intervention site. Careful consideration should be given to the advantages and disadvantages of various recruitment strategies that might not generalize across studies.
Sharp
Lisa K
LK
Section of Health Promotion Research, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, IL 60608, USA.
Fitzgibbon
Marian L
ML
Schiffer
Linda
L
D000328:Adult; D000329:Advertising; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004032:Diet; D004608:Eligibility Determination; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D018579:Patient Selection; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013689:Telephone; D014495:Universities; D015431:Weight Loss