Healthy Lifestyle Behavior Intervention for Latino Women

Overview

The overall goal of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effects of a community-based lifestyle behavior intervention (LSBI) that is designed to improve dietary habits and physical activity (PA), and reduce weight of Latino women who are predominantly Spanish-speaking immigrants. It is hypothesized that middle-aged overweight/obese Latinas participating in a LSBI conducted by lay health advisors will demonstrate improved dietary habits, increased physical activity and a decrease in BMI compared to those in a control condition, Women in the LSBI also are expected to demonstrate improvements in selected physiologic outcomes (waist circumference, blood pressure \[BP\], measures of cholesterol and blood sugar).

Overweight/obesity and physical inactivity are two significant predictors of illness and death from cardiovascular (heart) disease (CVD) in Latina adults. These risk factors may be reduced or eliminated through prevention efforts that focus on heart-healthy diets, weight reduction, and PA. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of a 6-month community-based lifestyle behavior intervention (LSBI) conducted by lay health advisors and a control condition (disaster preparedness and home safety program) on lifestyle behaviors -dietary habits and physical activity(primary outcome) and selected physiologic outcomes (secondary outcomes) i.e., BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, measures of cholesterol,and fasting blood sugar of Latinas who are overweight/obese. The LSBI includes group education (8 classes) and individual teaching and coaching (8 contacts by home visits and telephone calls) delivered over a 6-month period. Acceptability and feasibility of the intervention is evaluated through examination of women's retention rates and participation in classes and home visits.