The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #45547

Thomas N. Robinson, MD, MPH¹, Ayisha S. Owens, BA², Nikko S. Thompson, MPhil², and Tiffany E. McDonald, MPH². (1) Division of General Pediatrics and Center for Research in Disease Prevention, Stanford University School of Medicine, 1000 Welch Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94304, (2) Center for Research in Disease Prevention, Stanford University School of Medicine, 1000 Welch Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94304, 650-725-9462, tom.robinson@stanford.edu

The primary goal of the Stanford Girls health Enrichment Multi-Site (GEMS) trial is to develop and evaluate a community-based behavioral intervention to prevent excessive weight gain in low-income, 8-10 year old African-American girls. Formative studies were performed to guide intervention protocol development for (1) a community center after-school dance intervention focusing on African dance, Hip-hop, and Step, and (2) a home- and family-based intervention to reduce children's television, videotape and video game use. Data were collected from focus groups with 8-12 year old African-American girls (n=72); focus groups with parents/guardians (n=55); written questionnaires (n=22); interviews with community leaders and community center/youth program staff (n=63); pilot/feasibility testing of dance classes (n=32); and pilot/feasibility testing of television reduction intervention methods (n=16). Girls and parents/guardians expressed positive attitudes about dance as an after-school activity, the need to reduce television use, an interest in African-American heritage as an intervention theme, a girls-only focus, and a holistic definition of health. Potential barriers to participation were also identified (e.g., time pressures, convenience, competition from other after-school programs in low-income areas, and transportation). There were varying attitudes about the proposal to collect genetic material as part of the study. Interviews of community members and pilot/feasibility testing of interventions helped further refine both specific content and implementation protocols likely to be associated with increased motivation and participation, as well as study recruitment and retention strategies. The information derived from the formative studies played an invaluable role in the success of a subsequent pilot study with 61 families.

Learning Objectives:

• The participant will understand how formative studies help inform the development of intervention protocols for behavioral interventions to prevent obesity in African-American girls.

Keywords: African American, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.