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Title: Implementation of a 12-month community-based walking program to promote health in a rural, high risk, minority population

Author
item WEBER, JUDITH - ACHRI
item LOGAN, HEATHER - ACHRI
item RUSSELL, ERICA - ACHRI
item WATKINS, DEBRA - ACHRI
item JO, CHAN-HEE - ACHRI-DAC
item STIGGER, FLAVELIA - UAPB
item SIMS, DIANNE - MARVELL NIRI
item McCabe Sellers, Beverly

Submitted to: International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2007
Publication Date: 6/23/2007
Citation: Weber, J.L., Logan, H., Russell, E., Watkins, D.R., Jo, C., Stigger, F., Sims, D., McCabe Sellers, B.J. 2007. Implementation of a 12-month community-based walking program to promote health in a rural, high risk, minority population [abstract]. Proceedings of the International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. p. 120.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of implementing a rural walking program led by local community members, who served as walking group leaders. For the study, 39 participants (98% female; 54% elderly; community population 1,395) were recruited. Measurements included height, weight, body fat, blood pressure, pulse rate, waist circumferences, hours of sedentary, moderate, and vigorous physical activity (PA), and self–efficacy for increasing PA. Following baseline (BL), subjects recorded one week of pre-intervention pedometer steps and minutes of activity. Then bi-weekly goals were set, increasing every two weeks by 10%. Subjects were encouraged to reach a final goal of 10,000 steps/day and 60 minutes of walking 5 days/wk. Steps and minutes were recorded daily and submitted weekly. Mean resting pulse rate decreased significantly from BL to 12 mo, from 79 +/- 10 bpm, to 73 +/- 11 bpm (p=0.02), indicating a trend toward improved fitness, although no changes were found for other health measures. Mean minutes of PA increased significantly from BL (148 +/- 129 min/day) and 6 mo (145 +/- 126 min/day), respectively, to 12 mo (252 +/-P 172 min/day; p=0.0001). Similarly, daily pedometer steps increased significantly from BL to 12 mo, from 34,725 +/- 24,094 steps/day, to 46,054 +/- 27,930 steps/day (p=0.01). Results did not differ using nonparametric tests. Most results were found in the second 6 months, indicating that for community-based behavioral health interventions it may take longer to establish programs, and therefore achieve positive health effects, which may subsequently impact program sustainability.