Title

Fit for Life Steps: Results of a Community Walking Intervention In the Rural Mississippi Delta

Authors

Jamie Zoellner, University of Southern Mississippi
Carol Lawson Connell, University of Southern Mississippi
Ross Santell, University of Southern Mississippi
Thomas Fungwe, University of Southern Mississippi
Earline Strickland, University of Southern Mississippi
Amanda Avis-Williams, University of Southern Mississippi
Kathleen Yadrick, University of Southern Mississippi
Kristi Lofton, University of Southern Mississippi
Marjuyua Rowser, University of Southern Mississippi
Alicia Powers, University of Southern Mississippi
Gwendolyn Lucas, University of Southern Mississippi
Margaret L. Bogle, University of Southern Mississippi

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2007

Department

Nutrition and Food Systems

School

Kinesiology and Nutrition

Abstract

Background: A collaborative community–university–U.S. Department of Agriculture(USDA)/Agricultural Research Service (ARS) partnership developed and implemented a 6-month walking intervention whereby volunteer coaches were trained to lead community walking groups in a rural Mississippi Delta Community.

Objective: Assess the feasibility of implementing community-based participatory research (CBPR), increase physical activity, and improve anthropometric and biological measures.

Methods: This quasi-experimental design examined body mass index, percent body fat, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood glucose, lipid profile, self-reported walking, stages of change, social support, self-efficacy, and decisional balance at enrollment, 3 months, and 6 months. Participants were primarily African-American (99%) women (97%). Changes were evaluated using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Friedman's test.

Results: Community members actively participated in assessing the problem, identifying the intervention, intervention planning, data collection, and evaluation. Of the 83 enrolled participants, 66 (80%) completed the intervention. Participants exhibited significant improvements in waist circumference (–1.4 inches), systolic blood pressure (–4.3 mmHg), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (+7.9 mg/dL); (P < .001). Self-reported walking per day was 44.8 (SD+52.2) minutes at enrollment, 76.6 (SD+166.6) minutes at 3-months, and 65.9 (SD+89.7) minutes at 6 months (P = .154). A positive stage of change shift occurred in 57% of participants; however, no significant positive changes occurred in the other psychosocial variables.

Conclusion: The process of developing and implementing this CBPR walking intervention was considered successful as evidenced by the community's active contribution and participation in each phase of this research, the undertaking and application of basic research components, significant improvements in several anthropometric and biological values, and sustainability of the collaborative partnership.

Publication Title

Progress in Community Health Partnerships : Research, Education, and Action

Volume

1

Issue

1

First Page

49

Last Page

60

Recommended Citation

Zoellner, J., Connell, C., Santell, R., Fungwe, T., Strickland, E., Avis-Williams, A., Yadrick, K., Lofton, K., Rowser, M., Powers, A., Lucas, G., Bogle, M. (2007). Fit for Life Steps: Results of a Community Walking Intervention In the Rural Mississippi Delta. Progress in Community Health Partnerships : Research, Education, and Action, 1(1), 49-60.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/17971