Feasibility of Reducing Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Hispanics Through a Family-Based Community Intervention

Feasibility of Reducing Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Hispanics Through a Family-Based Community Intervention

Feasibility of Reducing Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Hispanics Through a Family-Based Community Intervention

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of a 6-month family-based community intervention to mitigate cardiovascular disease risk factors in Hispanic families in northern Colorado as measured through biometric screenings, body composition, physical activity, and health knowledge.

The current project aims to leverage the UCHealth Healthy Hearts Family Program to provide a free, non-insurance-based 1-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and wellness program to Hispanic Colorado families. This program includes an interactive educational class series, baseline and quarterly biometric screenings, and optional consultations with an Exercise Physiologist and a Dietitian. This program takes a novel approach to preventative care by incorporating the family unit with the intention of having the child be the agent of change. The long-term goals of this project are to significantly improve CVD risk factors among participating families and to disseminate study findings to inform developing and current outreach programs to offer effective CVD prevention programs for Hispanic citizens. This work may ultimately lead to more Hispanics being served through new or existing programs, therefore expanding important preventative community health interventions into this underserved population.

Participants will be enrolled in the standard Healthy Hearts Family Program 6-month family-based cardiovascular disease prevention program.

Participants will participate in a baseline health and knowledge screening, followed by a 6-week once-weekly class series, and 3- and 6-month follow-up health and knowledge screenings.

Physical activity metrics (daily minutes of light, moderate and vigorous activity per month) measured by Fitbit devices

Biometric variables - lab values (lipid profile in mg/dL) measured through finger stick blood sampling

Biometric variables - lab values ( triglycerides in mg/dL) measured through finger stick blood sampling

Biometric variables - lab values (blood glucose all in mg/dL) measured through finger stick blood sampling

Body composition (muscle mass in pounds) measured with a Tanita MC980Uplus multi-frequency bio-electrical impedance analysis device.

Body composition (fat-free mass in pounds) measured with a Tanita MC980Uplus multi-frequency bio-electrical impedance analysis device.

Body composition (body fat percentage) measured with a Tanita MC980Uplus multi-frequency bio-electrical impedance analysis device.

Body composition (Tanita visceral fat rating) measured with a Tanita MC980Uplus multi-frequency bio-electrical impedance analysis device.

Health knowledge gained and retained will be evaluated and compared at baseline, post-6 week class series, 3- and 6-month follow-ups utilizing previously developed and utilized Healthy Hearts knowledge survey. This outcome will be measured by correct responses on the Healthy Hearts knowledge survey.

Adherence to program and utilization of additional resources - Program attendance - Percentage of Scheduled Visits Attended

Attendance for screenings, classes and other consultations across baseline and follow-up visits. Attendance will be measured as the percentage of scheduled visits (including the 6 week class series and the 3- and 6-month follow-up visits) completed.

Compliance to Fitbit utilization as measured by days worn throughout the 6 month program. The NHANES compliance to wear time of > 10 hours worn per day will be utilized.

Use of Exercise Physiologist and Dietician resources provided will be quantified and reported. This outcome will be reported as the number of consultation appointments requested and utilized throughout the program.

Inclusion Criteria: At least one member of the family unit self-identifies as Hispanic At least 13 years of age Exclusion Criteria: Unwilling to wear Fitbit devices daily for 6 months except when charging and sleeping Cannot read or understand either English or Spanish Cannot return to screening location to perform the minimum of the baseline, 3-month and 6-month follow-up screenings Children or adolescents will be excluded from this project without a minimum of one accompanying parent or guardian