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Obesity/Nutrition

(3.03) Clinical Outcomes of a Tailored Exercise Intervention for Obese African-American Women

Thursday, May 9, 2024
11:05 AM – 11:20 AM CDT
Location: ePoster Showcase, Empire Ballroom Foyer, Level 2
Objective : Regular physical activity (PA) has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Interventions promoting healthy lifestyle are more likely to succeed if they are culturally tailored for adherence. Several barriers to PA have been identified among obese African American (AA) women which include lack of time, health related conditions, transportation, issues related to body image, and family commitments. The goal of this study is to assess the impact of a 24-week tiered, supervised, and culturally tailored PA intervention in obese AA women

Methods: This is a pilot, single arm study in obese AA females at risk for diabetes. The 24-week tiered exercise intervention included both in-person and virtual exercise sessions occurring 3 times/week. Outcome measures assessed at baseline, 12- and 24 weeks included: weight, BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, total body composition (Lunar Prodigy Densitometer), measures of functional mobility (Timed-up-and-go (TUG) and the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) tests), fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin, lipid panel and patient reported outcomes (Physical Activity and Nutrition Self Efficacy (PANSE) Survey and Norfolk Quality of Life-Fatigue (QOL-F) Survey). The supervised intervention included cardiovascular exercises (bike, cycle ergometer, walking,), resistance exercises, balance activities, and/or flexibility exercises. Mixed Methods Repeated Measures (MMRM) approach was used to assess all outcomes.

Results: Forty sedentary obese AA females were screened and enrolled in the study (age 46.5±18.4, weight 219.7±37.3, BMI 36.9±6.6, 30% with hypertension, 18% with dyslipidemia and 34% with pre-diabetes). To date, 26 subjects have completed 12 weeks and 18 have completed 24 weeks of the intervention. At 12 weeks, measures of functional mobility showed statistically significant improvement from baseline (TUG=9.5s±1.4s to 8.8s±1.5s; p=0.020 and 6MWD=488m±44m to 519m±76.6m; p=0.027). At 24 weeks, participants showed significant improvements in weight (231 to 222 lbs.; p=0.0012), systolic blood pressure (128mmHg to 121mmHg; p=0.0340), HbA1C (5.92% to 5.78%; p=0.0033), body composition measures (body fat=46.5% to 44.1%; p=0.0142; fat mass=104.9lbs to 96.7lbs; p=0.0081; fat tissue=47.8% to 45.4%; p=0.0139), and Norfolk QOL-F scores (29.7 to 21.8, p=0.0175).

Discussion/Conclusion: These results indicate that a culturally sensitive, supervised exercise intervention for obese AA women can lead to weight loss, increased functional mobility, reduced levels of fatigue and improvements in body composition as well as metabolic parameters.