Effectiveness of SisterTalk Hartford for Weight Loss Among African-American Women

The Hospitals-Churches Partnership for Health Project: SisterTalk Hartford

The purpose of the SisterTalk Hartford study was to assess whether a theoretically- and scientifically-based, culturally acceptable weight loss program could be effectively translated into a faith-based program and subsequently delivered in the church to help African-American women lose weight.

Inclusion Criteria:

• BMI of at least 25.0
• self-identifies as Black or African-American
• able to do mild physical activity such as walking or chair exercises

Exclusion Criteria:

• has insulin dependent diabetes
• is pregnant, nursing, or had a baby in the past 4 months
• has ever been treated for an eating disorder (e.g. anorexia nervosa, bulimia)
• had a heart attack in the past 2 years requiring hospitalization
• has ever had a stroke
• has congestive heart failure
• has uncontrolled hypertension
• currently participating in another study
• is on a doctor-prescribed diet that cannot be changed (e.g. very low protein diet for a person in liver failure)