The Effectiveness of A New Leaf…Choices for Healthy Living Lifestyle Intervention On African American Women Dr. Angela E. Dykes, Dr. Susan Walsh, Dr. Tracey Kneiss & Dr. Susan Steele-Moses adykes45@gmail.com Practice Problem Project Description African American women have the highest rates of obesity related chronic conditions compared to African American men, white men and women in the South. Approximately 80% of African American women are overweight, and 50% are considered obese. African American women have a disproportionally greater incidence of type 2 diabetes, and hypertension compared to African American men, white men and white women According to Healthy People 2020 eating a healthy diet, being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight reduces the risks of these obesity related chronic conditions. A New Leaf…Choices for Healthy Living intervention is a structured tool that offers practical strategies for making changes in dietary, and physical activity behaviors. The intervention was conducted over three (3) sessions Assessed current lifestyle behaviors Identified attitudes and difficulties related to improving lifestyle behaviors Facilitated individual goal setting and self monitoring Each participant was provided A New Leaf cookbook of southern recipes Participants volunteered. Inclusion criteria was African American women aged 18-65. The Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP II) was used to measure improvement in nutrition and physical activity behaviors over the three sessions. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) used to analyze change in lifestyle behavior over time Clinical Question How does a nurse practitioner led culturally sensitive healthy lifestyle intervention program improve healthy lifestyles in African American women over eight weeks? Implications Project Evaluation Purpose Improve dietary and physical activity lifestyle habits in African American women within a primary care practice using A New Leaf…Choices for Healthy Living, a culturally sensitive healthy lifestyle intervention. Conclusions Nursing and Healthcare Implications The healthy lifestyle intervention indicated success in increased physical activity, and healthy eating habits among the participants. Participants indicated change in healthy food choices Participants indicated in participating in physical activities Participants encouraged and supported each other by developing an ongoing support system by sharing favorite recipes, and establishing a walking group A structured and culturally sensitive healthy lifestyle intervention program for African American women addresses lifestyle habits related to nutrition and physical activity. The group setting promotes open communication and support among the participants to achieve goals for a healthy lifestyle. References HealthyPeople 2020. (2016). HealthyPeople 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2016, from https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/leading-health.../2020-lhi...and-obesity/data National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health promotion Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. (2008). Research to Practice Series No 7. Retrieved December 9, 2016, from Centers for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov/nutrition/downloads/r2p_Life_change.pdf University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. (2013, March). A New Leaf...Choices for Healthy Living. Retrieved October 2, 2016, from A New Leaf...Choices for Healthy Living: www.centertrt.org/content/docs/intervention-documents/.../a_new_leaf_template.pdf