1. Efficacy of Obesity and Cancer Interventions for African American Adults: A Case Study
Melissa Anderson1, Bianka Recinos2, Elizabeth Gonzalez Suarez2, Karen M. Emmons Ph.D.2
1University of Massachusetts, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston MA 02125, 2Dana-Farber Cancer Institute / Harvard Cancer Center, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215
Acknowledgments
University of Massachusetts Boston – Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center
U54 Cancer Research Partnership
• Increasing prevalence rates for cancer diagnoses among
ethnic and racial minorities are alarming. African-Americans/
Blacks show a 25% higher incidence rate for all cancers
combined relative to all other races (National Cancer
Institute SEER, 2010).
• Previous research suggests that implementing cancer-
based education programs and initiatives within faith-based
settings will provide a valuable environment in which to
reach at-risk populations, specifically African-Americans
(Wilcox, et al., 2010).
• Cancer and health education program results from the
previous 12-18 months show inconsistent participation and
retention rates of churchgoers at a Boston area Black/
African-American church.
• A case study approach is used to describe the process for
the development of the fitness program, “Get Ready!
Get Fit!” (GRGF) within a predominately Black/African-
American Church in the Boston community.
• Chronicle the impact of integrating the Health Ministry of a
single Black/African-American Church into a Faith-Based
Outreach (FBO) team of nutrition and physical activity
specialists.
• Suggest strategies for improving parishioner participation
and retention in activities.
Purpose
Methods Expected Results
Examples of Selected Intervention Messages and Program
Activities Lead by Health Ministry
Selected Intervention Messages Selected Activities
Physical activity:
1. Importance of daily physical activity for
cancer prevention;
2. Benefits of an active lifestyle on quality
of life;
3. Have fun doing a variety of different
physical activities;
4. Developing confidence and avoid
physical activity pitfalls.
 Participate in moderate physical activity
(i.e., Zumba Gold, Tai Chi, Yoga,
aerobics and light calisthenics);
 Demonstrate chair activities for increase
trunk and lower body strength and
balance;
 Teach flexibility exercises to promote
healthy joints and skeletal muscles;
 Discuss how to create SMART goals,
self rewarding, choosing sustainable
behavior change methods, getting back
on track.
Healthy Diet:
1. Drinking water not sugar-sweetened
beverages when you are thirsty;
2. Choosing lower-fat food options;
3. Increasing knowledge of proper
portion sizes;
4. Teaching comprehension of nutrition
labels;
5. Adding flavor without adding empty
calories.
 Hold Cooking Matters class;
 Shopping Matters group education tour;
 2 weekly sessions dedicated to nutrition
education;
 3 30-minute group workshops
discussing healthy behavior promotion
and basic lifestyle change strategies;
 Integrate tips on how a healthy diet
relates to cancer prevention.
69.9
30.1
Participation in Selected Activities Lead by FBO Team
Introduction and Background
Conclusion
Literature Cited
1. Howlader N, Noone AM, Krapcho M, Garshell J, Neyman N,
Altekruse SF, Kosary CL, Yu M, Ruhl J, Tatalovich Z, Cho H,
Mariotto A, Lewis DR, Chen HS, Feuer EJ, Cronin KA (eds). SEER
Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2010, National Cancer Institute.
Bethesda, MD, http://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2010/
2. Wilcox, S., Laken, M., Parrott, A., Condrasky, M., Saunders, R.,
Addy, C., & ... Samuel, M. (2010). The faith, activity, and nutrition
(FAN) program: design of a participatory research intervention to
increase physical activity and improve dietary habits in African
American churches. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 31(4), 323-335.
I am grateful to the University of Massachusetts Boston – Dana-
Farber/Harvard Cancer Center U54 Cancer Research Partnership for
the opportunity to participate in this research. I would like to give
special thanks to S. Tiffany Donaldson Ph.D. for her much appreciated
guidance over the course of this project.
Increase in
physical activity
participation
Greater retention
rates for health
promotion
programs
Better comprehension of the
correlation between an
active lifestyle/healthy diet
and lower cancer risk
Greater parishioner
involvement in the
development of health-related
activities via Health Ministry
outreach
By creating a supportive and sustainable Health Ministry, we aim to
observe the establishment of a faith community armed with the
necessary skills to coordinate and maintain health initiatives to
decrease the cancer rates among African-American adults.
Figure 1A-C. Percentage of participants who attended (A) walking
club, (B) cooking demo, and (C) talked to staff about physical activity.