Weight and blood pressure reduction among participants engaged in a cancer awareness and prevention program

OBJECTIVES: African–Americans consume a diet high in fat, salt and sugar; such dietary habits increase the risks of cancer and other chronic diseases. The objective of this study was to engage rural communities in a nutrition and physical activity behavior modification program to promote cancer awareness and risk reduction. METHODS: Focus group discussions were conducted to generate information for the development of a nutrition and physical activity program. African Americans (N = 62) from two rural counties (Bullock and Macon) in Alabama participated in a year-long intervention program in 2012 and 2013. Weight loss and blood pressure were evaluated to measure the impact of the intervention. RESULTS: Themes emerged for the focus group discussions were: nutrition, health, family, environment, and resource access. In Macon County participants lost weight irrespective of the exercise regimen, with those involved in floor exercise losing the most weight (− 22.4 lbs, or − 11.18% change), while in Bullock county walking was most effective in weight loss (6.1 lbs or − 3.40% change) p < 0.05. Systolic and diastolic pressure decreased from 5.3 to 10.5 mm Hg; − 2.0 to − 6.4 mm Hg, respectively, for Bullock county, except for the walking group. In Macon County, both systolic and diastolic pressure % change ranged from − 8.94 to 12.66 and − 5.34 to 12.66 mm Hg respectively, irrespective of physical activity respectively. CONCLUSION: In this study, changes in weight lost and blood pressure were observed among individuals engaged in a nutrition education and physical activity program.