Exercise and Nutrition Program in Improving Physical Activity and Dietary Behavior in Non-Active, Overweight, or Obese Latinas

Fuerte y Sanas: Exercise and Nutrition Program in Improving Physical Activity and Dietary Behavior in Non-Active, Overweight, or Obese Latinas

This pilot clinical trial studies how well an evidence-based exercise and nutrition program adapted for Latinas works in improving physical activity and dietary behavior in non-active, overweight, or obese rural Latinas. An exercise and nutrition program may reduce the risk for developing certain cancers, obesity, and chronic health conditions in Latinas who are non-active, overweight, or obese.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. Adapt an effective evidence-based exercise and nutrition program to meet the needs of rural Latinas.

II. Implement the adapted program in a rural Latina population. III. Evaluate feasibility and potential to improve physical activity and dietary behavior of the adapted program in a rural Latina population.

OUTLINE:

Phase I: Create a community advisory board to adapt Strong Women Healthy Hearts Program (SWHHP) using feedback on the existing SWHHP from Latinas residing in the community.

Phase II: Conduct a small pilot study to assess effectiveness of the adapted program (one group pre-post design, with data collected at three time points).

INTERVENTION GROUP: Participants undergo instructor-led exercise and nutrition education classes for 60 minutes each twice a week for 12 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Phase I:
• Bilingual Latina
• Live in the community
• Phase II:
• Latina
• Currently non-active (exercise two days or less per week)
• Overweight or obese (body mass index [BMI] of 24 or greater)

Exclusion Criteria:

• A medical condition that precludes moderate-vigorous physical activity as determined by health care provider
• Pregnancy