title: Community-based fortified dietary intervention improved health outcomes among low-income African-American women.
abstract: Poor dietary exposure disproportionately affects African-Americans and contributes to the persistence of disparities in health outcomes. In this study, we hypothesized that fortified dietary intervention (FDI) will improve measured dietary and related health outcomes and will be acceptable among low-income African-American women living in Tampa, FL. These objectives were tested using a prospective experimental study using pretest and posttest design with a control group, using a community-based participatory research approach. The intervention (FDI) was designed by the community through structural modification of a preexisting, diet-based program by the addition of a physical and mental health component. Paired sample t tests were used to examine preintervention and postintervention changes in study outcomes. A total of 49 women participated in the study, 26 in the FDI group and 23 controls. Two weeks postintervention, there were significant improvements in waist circumference and health-related quality of life related to physical health (P< .0001), physical fitness subscores (P= .002), and nutritional subscores (P= .001) in the FDI group. Among overweight/obese women, improvement in health-related quality of life related to physical health, a significant decrease in depressive score, and a reduction in waist circumference were noted. In the control group, a decrease in waist circumference was observed. Implementation of the FDI through a community-based participatory research approach is feasible and effective among low-income African-American women in general and overweight/obese women in particular. Social reengineering of a nutritional intervention coupled with community-based approach will enhance health outcomes of low-income women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. Electronic address: hamisu.salihu@bcm.edu.
authors.forename: Hamisu M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Salihu
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL. Electronic address: kadegoke@health.usf.edu.
authors.forename: Korede K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Adegoke
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL. Electronic address: rdas3@mail.usf.edu.
authors.forename: Rachita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Das
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL. Electronic address: rwilson2@health.usf.edu.
authors.forename: Ronee E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: REACHUP, Inc., Tampa, FL. Electronic address: jmazza@reachupincorporated.org.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mazza
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. Electronic address: okoh@bcm.edu.
authors.forename: Jennifer O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Okoh
authors.affiliation: Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL. Electronic address: enaik@health.usf.edu.
authors.forename: Eknath
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Naik
authors.affiliation: REACHUP, Inc., Tampa, FL. Electronic address: LBerry@reachupincorporated.org.
authors.forename: Estrellita Lo
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Berry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D003153:Community Health Services; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006293:Health Promotion; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy; D050177:Overweight / Q000628:therapy; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011203:Poverty; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D014481:United States; D055105:Waist Circumference
keywords: African-American women; Dietary intervention; Low income; Nutrition; Physical activity; Quality of life