title: Samoan body and soul: adapting an evidence-based obesity and cancer prevention program.
abstract: Obesity-associated chronic diseases persist in Samoan populations in the United States. Samoans and African Americans share cultural similarities such as church affiliation, perceptions of weight and body size, and obesity-related health risks. Adapting an effective energy balance intervention originally designed for African Americans--Body and Soul--might be useful in reducing obesity among U.S. Samoans. To determine potential attractiveness and adaptations, we used aspects of grounded theory to analyze key-informant and focus group interviews with 31 purposively selected Samoans in Hawaii. We incorporated participatory features into the research with Samoan community members conducting parts of the study. From interview narratives, we identified relevant themes from Samoan culture, such as "fa'aSamoa", or the Samoan way, and specific energy balance activities to include in an obesity and cancer prevention intervention for U.S.-dwelling Samoans. Our findings describe methods to address health disparities by incorporating culturally appropriate health concepts into existing evidence-based interventions.
authors.affiliation: University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA kevin@cc.hawaii.edu.
authors.forename: Kevin D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Cassel
authors.affiliation: University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.affiliation: University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
authors.forename: Lana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ka'opua
authors.affiliation: Windward Samoan Congregational Christian Church, Waimanalo, Hawaii, USA.
authors.forename: Fuamaila
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Soa
authors.affiliation: University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nigg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006254:Hawaii; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016730:Program Development; D036301:Qualitative Research; D018947:Samoa / Q000208:ethnology
keywords: Pacific Islands / Pacific Islanders; cancer, screening and prevention; culture / cultural competence; evidence-based practice; focus groups; illness and disease, chronic; intervention programs; interviews; obesity / overweight