TY - JOUR
T1 - Project HEAL
T2 - Peer education leads to weight loss in harlem
AU - Goldfinger, Judith Z.
AU - Arniella, Guedy
AU - Wylie-Rosett, Judith
AU - Horowitz, Carol R.
PY - 2008/2
Y1 - 2008/2
N2 - Background. Obesity and diabetes are epidemic in the predominantly minority Harlem community. To address them, a coalition of community and academic leaders tested the effectiveness of a peer-led weight loss course. Methods. The coalition developed Project HEAL: Healthy Eating, Active Lifestyles through extensive collaboration with community members and experts in nutrition, exercise, and peer education. We piloted the course in a local church and assessed its impact through pre and post course weights, self-reported behaviors and quality of life. Results. Twenty-six overweight and obese African American adults lost a mean of 4.4 pounds at 10 weeks, 8.4 pounds at 22 weeks, and 9.8 pounds at 1 year. Participants reported decreased fat consumption and sedentary hours, and improved health related quality of life. Conclusions. A peer-led, community-based course can lead to weight loss and behavior change. The minority communities most affected by obesity and diabetes may benefit from this low-cost, culturally appropriate intervention.
AB - Background. Obesity and diabetes are epidemic in the predominantly minority Harlem community. To address them, a coalition of community and academic leaders tested the effectiveness of a peer-led weight loss course. Methods. The coalition developed Project HEAL: Healthy Eating, Active Lifestyles through extensive collaboration with community members and experts in nutrition, exercise, and peer education. We piloted the course in a local church and assessed its impact through pre and post course weights, self-reported behaviors and quality of life. Results. Twenty-six overweight and obese African American adults lost a mean of 4.4 pounds at 10 weeks, 8.4 pounds at 22 weeks, and 9.8 pounds at 1 year. Participants reported decreased fat consumption and sedentary hours, and improved health related quality of life. Conclusions. A peer-led, community-based course can lead to weight loss and behavior change. The minority communities most affected by obesity and diabetes may benefit from this low-cost, culturally appropriate intervention.
KW - Community-based participatory research
KW - Diabetes
KW - Nutrition
KW - Obesity
KW - Peer education
KW - Physical activity
KW - Weight loss
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=40549103798&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1353/hpu.2008.0016
DO - 10.1353/hpu.2008.0016
M3 - Article
C2 - 18263994
AN - SCOPUS:40549103798
VL - 19
SP - 180
EP - 192
JO - Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved
JF - Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved
SN - 1049-2089
IS - 1
ER -