Project Title: Reducing Cancer Health Disparities by Disseminating Evidence-Based Approaches for Energy Balance

Abstract:

This study will conduct formative research to assess knowledge, attitudes and behaviors about nutrition and exercise (i.e., "energy balance") among low-income Hispanic women over 40 years of age in Houston, Texas. Drawing on the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) and Centers for Disease Prevention and Control's (CDC) best-practices resources, several evidence-based social support interventions are identified, and these will form the foundation for replication of an energy balance intervention among low-income Hispanics. From Houston's "East End" barrios, we will 1) recruit 144 Hispanic women to attend focus groups to discuss energy balance and the criteria of effective interventions to improve nutrition and exercise and 2) interview 15-20 key informants (representatives from several Catholic Churches, grocery distributors, mass media and other relevant community representatives in the Houston East End area) to discuss the potential for a church-based energy balance intervention in this community. These data will be reported, producing recommendations for the design, implementation and evaluation of an evidence-based intervention to promote energy balance among Hispanic women.

PI:

  • Amelie G. Ramirez, DrPH, Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Director, Institute for Health Promotion Research at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Co-PI's:

  • Kipling Gallion, MA, Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Deputy Director, Institute for Health Promotion Research at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • Luis F. Velez, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine in Chronic Disease at the Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine
  • Patricia Chalela, DrPH, MPH, Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Funding Institution:

  • National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Funding Period:

6 months – 10/1/04-3/31/05

Assessment Activities:

Environmental Assessment of the community through the collection of demographics on the target populations, community health care resources, church/parish boundaries and activities, and grocery consumption patterns in the community and in parks and schools in the area.

Target Audience Assessment through focus groups to: 1) evaluate general knowledge, attitudes and behaviors relating to energy balance; 2) assess interest in behavior change; 3) assess use of the church structure for organizing energy balance programs; and 4) make recommendations for program activities and materials.

Key Informant Assessment through interviews with representatives of various churches (local priests/ministers/pastors and lay church leadership), grocery marketers, mass media, parks and recreation personnel, and others to identify barriers and enabling factors affecting energy balance program implementation.

Location/Service Area:

Catholic Churches in a large, predominately low-income Hispanic barrio called the East End of Houston, Texas.

Collaborators/Co-sponsors:

  • National Cancer Institute
  • Centers for Disease Prevention and Control
  • Diocese of the Galveston-Houston Area
  • Catholic Churches in East End Barrio: Queen of Peace, Immaculate Conception, Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Alphonsus, Blessed Sacrament, Resurrection and St. Christopher
  • Grocery Stores in East End Barrio: Fiesta Mart, Inc. Supermarket and H.E.B. Supermarket
  • Parks and Community Centers in East End Barrio: Mason Community Center, Broadmoor-Kretschmar Park, Cullinan Park, Dumble-Harrisburg Triangle, Dumble-Wesley Triangle and Gragg Park Complex

Goals:

To collect sufficient data to evaluate and refine existing evidence-based energy balance interventions that would ultimately produce a pilot intervention tailored to the needs, lifestyles and capacities of low-income Hispanic women of Catholic faith who are over 40 years of age.

Results:

None to report.

Potential Impact:

The project could lead to increased knowledge about nutrition and exercise and promote energy balance among low-income Hispanic women through the design of a culturally sensitive and resource appropriate church-based health intervention that exhibits novel, yet replicable goals and objectives. Discussion of these issues with family, friends and co-workers could also increase the number of individuals exposed to this information.

Publications:

None to report.