Better Me Within Trial to Improve Lifestyle Behaviors in African Americans

This study describes a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to design a novel faith-enhancement to the diabetes prevention program (DPP) for AA women. A long-standing CBPR partnership designed the faith-enhancement from focus group data. The faith components were specifically linked to weekly DPP learning objectives to strategically emphasize behavioral skills with religious principles. Using a CBPR approach, the Better Me Within trial was able to enroll 12 churches, screen 333 AA women, and randomize 221 after collection of objective eligibility measures. A prospective, randomized, nested by church, design was used to evaluate the faith-enhanced DPP as compared to a standard DPP on weight, diabetes and cardiovascular risk, over a 16-week intervention and 10-month follow up.

Reducing obesity positively impacts diabetes and cardiovascular risk; however, evidence-based lifestyle programs, such as the diabetes prevention program (DPP), show reduced effectiveness in African American (AA) women. In addition to an attenuated response to lifestyle programs, AA women also demonstrate high rates of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. To address these disparities, enhancements to evidence-based lifestyle programs for AA women need to be developed and evaluated with culturally relevant and rigorous study designs. This study describes a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to design a novel faith-enhancement to the DPP for AA women. A long-standing CBPR partnership designed the faith-enhancement from focus group data (N=64 AA adults) integrating five components: a brief pastor led sermon, memory verse, in class or take-home faith activity, promises to remember, and scripture and prayer integrated into participant curriculum and facilitator materials. The faith components were specifically linked to weekly DPP learning objectives to strategically emphasize behavioral skills with religious principles. Using a CBPR approach, the Better Me Within trial was able to enroll 12 churches, screen 333 AA women, and randomize 221 (Mean age =48.8 ±11.2; Mean BMI =36.7 ±8.4; 52% technical or high school) after collection of objective eligibility measures. A prospective, randomized, nested by church, design was used to evaluate the faith-enhanced DPP as compared to a standard DPP on weight, diabetes and cardiovascular risk, over a 16-week intervention and 10-month follow up. This study provides essential data to guide enhancements to evidence-based lifestyle programs for AA women who are at high risk for chronic disease.

This study uses a prospective, 2-group, randomized nested (by church) design with eleven congregations, comparing a healthy weight management program with a pastor/church leader component (Intervention) to a healthy weight management program without a pastor/church component (Control). Focus groups were conducted with a sample of 64 participants for understanding needs, perspectives and barriers to healthy weight management. A total of 221 overweight and obese female participants from about 11 churches (approximately 25-30 individuals per church) were recruited and participated in this study following the protocols. The DPP Curriculum includes an intervention phase (approximately weekly for 4 months) and maintenance phase (once or twice a month for 6 months). Faith components (handouts and mini-sermon) are only used by the treatment (intervention) group through both the intervention and maintenance phase.

Research personnel involved in delivering interventions were not allowed to facilitate the outcome measures. Project coordinator, key personnel, and trained volunteers (which included graduate students) collected all the data elements. Statisticians and data coordinators were blinded of intervention group assignments of the participants until the end of the study.

A total of six churches were randomized to this arm that included 119 participants and received 10-month DPP with faith components.

A total of five churches were randomized to this arm that included 102 participants who received the standard DPP on the church settings.

The faith-enhanced curriculum was faith-based and developed using CBPR approaches. The Faith-DPP condition included delivery of the DPP. The group intervention was delivered by one to two trained peers from the church and consisted of 16 weekly group meetings followed by 6 bi-monthly or monthly maintenance sessions. The faith enhanced curriculum included five strategies: 1) a mini sermon (~15 min in length) delivered by a pastor (head pastors were required to deliver at least one per month), first lady, or church leader (pastor associate, deacon, elder, etc.), 2) a memory verse, 3) in class or take-home faith activity (application of faith principles), 4) promises to remember, and 5) scripture and prayer integrated into participant curriculum and facilitator materials. These five faith enhancements were developed by the CAB to enhance the DPP's weekly learning objectives, which resulted in faith components specifically linked to each week of DPP content.

The S-DPP condition was faith-placed, a secular program (the DPP) held at an faith-based organization. This condition received the same diabetes prevention program (DPP) as the Faith-DPP, but did not receive any faith enhancements or pastor involvement.

Weight (lbs) was collected with a digital scale in light clothing with shoes removed. Weight was collected twice and the average was computed. Height was also measured using the same protocol to calculate the BMI (body-mass index).

Weight (lbs) was collected with a digital scale in light clothing with shoes removed. Weight was collected twice and the average was computed. Height was also measured using the same protocol to calculate the BMI (body-mass index).

Weight (lbs) was collected with a digital scale in light clothing with shoes removed. Weight was collected twice and the average was computed. Height was also measured using the same protocol to calculate the BMI (body-mass index).

Waist circumference was taken at the top of the pelvis (e.g., above the uppermost lateral border of the right ilium) with a measuring tape twice and averaged.

Waist circumference was taken at the top of the pelvis (e.g., above the uppermost lateral border of the right ilium) with a measuring tape twice and averaged.

Waist circumference was taken at the top of the pelvis (e.g., above the uppermost lateral border of the right ilium) with a measuring tape twice and averaged.

HDL was measured with a fasting blood sample obtained by finger stick with the Cholestech LDX system.

HDL was measured with a fasting blood sample obtained by finger stick with the Cholestech LDX system.

Blood pressure was collected with an automated blood pressure device following a seated 5 min rest in a quiet area. Two measurements were taken following Eighth Joint National Committee protocols and averaged.

Blood pressure was collected with an automated blood pressure device following a seated 5 min rest in a quiet area. Two measurements were taken following Eighth Joint National Committee protocols and averaged.

Blood pressure was collected with an automated blood pressure device following a seated 5 min rest in a quiet area. Two measurements were taken following Eighth Joint National Committee protocols and averaged.

Dietary patterns: Total energy (Kcal), total fat (gram), total sodium (milligram) intake on a typical day

Diet was measured with the Lower Mississippi Delta Nutrition Intervention Research Initiative (Delta NIRI) food frequency questionnaire. Data is scanned and analyzed by Northeastern University's Dietary Assessment Center. Total energy, fat, sodium, and other dietary components were estimated from the questionnaire. Desired total energy (Kcal) (range: 500 to 10,000) intake is defined as 2000 Kcal or less. Desired fat (gram) (range: 10 to 500) intake is defined as 77 gram or less. Desired sodium (milligram) (range: 100 to 20,000) intake is defined as 2300 milligram or less.

Dietary patterns: Total energy (Kcal), total fat (gram), total sodium (milligram) intake on a typical day

Diet was measured with the Lower Mississippi Delta Nutrition Intervention Research Initiative (Delta NIRI) food frequency questionnaire. Data is scanned and analyzed by Northeastern University's Dietary Assessment Center. Total energy, fat, sodium, and other dietary components were estimated from the questionnaire. Desired total energy (Kcal) (range: 500 to 10,000) intake is defined as 2000 Kcal or less. Desired fat (gram) (range: 10 to 500) intake is defined as 77 gram or less. Desired sodium (milligram) (range: 100 to 20,000) intake is defined as 2300 milligram or less.

Physical activity was measured by self-report with the Past Week Modifiable Physical Activity Questionnaire. A total of all physical activity minutes was calculated from the questionnaire. Desired level of physical activity is defined as 150 minutes or more per week.

Physical activity was measured by self-report with the Past Week Modifiable Physical Activity Questionnaire. A total of all physical activity minutes was calculated from the questionnaire. Desired level of physical activity is defined as 150 minutes or more per week.

Physical activity was measured by self-report with the Past Week Modifiable Physical Activity Questionnaire. A total of all physical activity minutes was calculated from the questionnaire. Desired level of physical activity is defined as 150 minutes or more per week.

Only female participants were eligible to enroll in this study due to their higher risk for obesity and diabetes.

Inclusion Criteria: Identify as African-American Female 18 years of age or older Parishioner at enrolled church Overweight or obese Willingness to participate in a 10-month study. Exclusion Criteria: Currently attending a weight loss program Diagnosed with diabetes Medical condition that interfered with physical activity or dietary changes Plans to move in the next 10 months.

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Tan M, Mamun A, Kitzman H, Mandapati SR, Dodgen L. Neighborhood Disadvantage and Allostatic Load in African American Women at Risk for Obesity-Related Diseases. Prev Chronic Dis. 2017 Nov 22;14:E119. doi: 10.5888/pcd14.170143.

Kitzman H, Mamun A, Dodgen L, Slater D, King G, King A, Slater JL, DeHaven M. Better Me Within Randomized Trial: Faith-Based Diabetes Prevention Program for Weight Loss in African American Women. Am J Health Promot. 2021 Feb;35(2):202-213. doi: 10.1177/0890117120958545. Epub 2020 Sep 18.

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