TY - JOUR
T1 - Health, Community, and Spirituality
T2 - Evaluation of a Multicultural Faith-Based Diabetes Prevention Program
AU - Gutierrez, Jaime
AU - Devia, Carlos
AU - Weiss, Linda
AU - Chantarat, Tongtan
AU - Ruddock, Charmaine
AU - Linnell, Jill
AU - Golub, Maxine
AU - Godfrey, Loyce
AU - Rosen, Rosa
AU - Calman, Neil
N1 - Funding Information:
This project was supported by a Racial Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1U58 DP000943) and by a grant from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (5R24 MD001644-05). This article is dedicated to our colleague and friend, Rosa Rosen, a tireless and passionate advocate for the Latino community who dared to dream of, and work hard for, the reality of health equity, and who inspired many others to do the same. The authors would especially like to thank the Bronx Health REACH member churches for their participation and to thank dedicated Community Research Committee members—Rev. Robert L. Foley, Joyce A. Davis, Sister Ellenrita Pucaro, Evalina Irish-Spencer, Toni Carter, Brenda Barretto, Lydia Sierra, and Kwaku Boakye—whose openness to sharing their wisdom made this project possible. They also want to thank Deborah Gonsalves for collecting the surveys and Deacon Joseph Ellis for assisting in the church recruitment for the project.
PY - 2014/3
Y1 - 2014/3
N2 - Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate Fine, Fit, and Fabulous (FFF), a faith-based diabetes prevention program for black and Latino congregants at churches in low-income New York City neighborhoods. FFF includes nutrition education and fitness activities while incorporating Bible-based teachings that encourage healthy lifestyles. FFF is a 12-week, bilingual program developed by the Bronx Health REACH coalition, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-funded Center of Excellence for the Elimination of Disparities. This program has been implemented in 15 Bronx and Harlem churches, engaging a primarily black and Latino overweight and obese urban population. Pre–post surveys, nutrition tests, and weight logs were collected to assess knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding healthy eating and physical activity. Participants (n = 183) reported statistically significant improvements in knowledge and healthy behaviors from baseline. Increased numbers of participants reported exercising in the past 30 days, eating fruit daily, being able to judge portion sizes, and reading food labels. Statistically significant numbers reported that they ate less fast food and were less likely to overeat at follow-up. The average weight loss across churches was 4.38 lbs or 2% of participants’ initial body weight. Significant differences were observed when stratifying by race/ethnicity. Evaluation results show FFF's success at engaging overweight adults in behavior changes related to healthy eating and exercise. FFF demonstrates the potential of faith-based health interventions to address obesity and diabetes risk in high-need communities of color.
AB - Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate Fine, Fit, and Fabulous (FFF), a faith-based diabetes prevention program for black and Latino congregants at churches in low-income New York City neighborhoods. FFF includes nutrition education and fitness activities while incorporating Bible-based teachings that encourage healthy lifestyles. FFF is a 12-week, bilingual program developed by the Bronx Health REACH coalition, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-funded Center of Excellence for the Elimination of Disparities. This program has been implemented in 15 Bronx and Harlem churches, engaging a primarily black and Latino overweight and obese urban population. Pre–post surveys, nutrition tests, and weight logs were collected to assess knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding healthy eating and physical activity. Participants (n = 183) reported statistically significant improvements in knowledge and healthy behaviors from baseline. Increased numbers of participants reported exercising in the past 30 days, eating fruit daily, being able to judge portion sizes, and reading food labels. Statistically significant numbers reported that they ate less fast food and were less likely to overeat at follow-up. The average weight loss across churches was 4.38 lbs or 2% of participants’ initial body weight. Significant differences were observed when stratifying by race/ethnicity. Evaluation results show FFF's success at engaging overweight adults in behavior changes related to healthy eating and exercise. FFF demonstrates the potential of faith-based health interventions to address obesity and diabetes risk in high-need communities of color.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84898835982&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0145721714521872
DO - 10.1177/0145721714521872
M3 - Article
C2 - 24518138
AN - SCOPUS:84898835982
SN - 0145-7217
VL - 40
SP - 214
EP - 222
JO - Science of Diabetes Self-Management and Care
JF - Science of Diabetes Self-Management and Care
IS - 2
ER -