Partners For Life: Off-line Health Promotion Program for Ultra-orthodox Jewish Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Partners For Life: Off-line Health Promotion Program for Ultra-orthodox Jewish Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The purpose of this study is to evaluate a unique culturally-tailored intervention aimed at increasing healthy eating and physical activity in Ultra-Orthodox Jewish women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing a pre-post study design, this intervention is based on the CDC's Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and integrates low-tech media, partner learning, group support, and practical workbook content.

UOJ women in Israel have poorer health outcomes and sub-optimal health behaviors than their counterparts. Contributing factors to these disparities include poverty, limited access to information, and insufficient culturally-appropriate opportunities. COVID-19 has exacerbated this inequity, with reduced income, opportunities and time availability, as well as increased weight, social isolation, loss, stress and emotional issues. While COVID-19 brought these health issues to the forefront, they are ongoing - and currently overlooked.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate a unique culturally-tailored intervention aimed at increasing healthy eating and physical activity in Ultra-Orthodox Jewish women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing a pre-post study design, this intervention is based on the CDC's Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and integrates low-tech media, partner learning, group support, and practical workbook content. Participants are recruited through an Ultra-orthodox Jewish continuing education institution for women and either register with a friend or are assigned a partner. Each woman receives a pedometer and workbook with information and skill-building worksheets to complete weekly in pairs (via phone or in person). All dyads will join weekly phone-based group meetings led by a group leader, to share challenges and successes as well as problem solve. It is hypothesized that this intervention will increase the targeted health behaviors as well as reduce weight in participants.

Inclusion Criteria: Females aged 18-85, willingness to commit to participation in the lifestyle intervention and follow-up.

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Exclusion Criteria: Pregnancy, history of schizophrenia, severe depression, untreated bipolar disorder, end-stage renal disease, type 1 diabetes, unstable angina, congestive heart failure, inability to participate in the group without assistance, dementia, inability to communicate in Hebrew.