1. 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
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
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 (2016). HealthyPeople Retrieved December 9, 2016, from
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:
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: