4 minute read
Community Outreach
Decreasing Cardiovascular Risk Factors in the Black Population during COVID 19: Eat Right and Move Program
M Vazquez Morgan PhD PT1 Grace Peterson PhD2 Suzanne Tinsley PhD PT1
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1Louisiana State University Health Shreveport - Center of Brain Health 2Louisiana State University College of Agriculture, LSU Ag Center
Nearly 42.5% of adults over the age of 20 in the U.S. are currently obese, according to the CDC. Louisiana ranks 9th in the nation for obesity at 35.9%. Further, the percentage of adults reporting sedentary behavior is higher in Louisiana than in the US population. Due to sedentary lifestyles and poor eating habits, Louisiana has higher national death rates in obesity related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer according to the CDC. The Black population has higher rates of obesity related diseases and has displayed increased morbidity and mortality during the COVID 19 pandemic. Community placed programs targeting at risk populations have proven effective in reducing cardiovascular risk factors in a variety of US cities. The Eat Right and Move program is a community placed program started to decrease obesity and cardiovascular risk factors in local economically disadvantaged Black populations. The program includes weekly (3 times a week) exercise classes and monthly cooking classes and seminars for a period of 6 months. There were 30 participants in the IRB approved pilot study. Baseline measures included: Blood pressure, BMI, lipid panel, A1C, C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, class attendance, Exercise Efficacy scale, REAP Nutritional Assessment, SF 36 Quality of Life Scale, endurance and strength measures. These measures were repeated at the completion of the 6-month program. Eighty percent of the participants completed the 6 month program. Funding included: $50,000 National Gannett Grant, $15,000 Community Foundation Grant, and $6K from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Sigma Rho Omega Chapter.
The following results display the percentage of participants who exhibited improvements in the measured variables post intervention: BMI reduction: 70.8%, BP reduction: 66.6%, leg strength improvement: 91.6%, cardiac endurance gains: 91.6%, quality of life improvement: 83.3%, nutrition: 83.3%, LDL cholesterol reduction: 58.3%, triglycerides reduction: 50%, inflammatory marker reduction: 80%, blood glucose improvement: 45.4%. The majority of participants enrolled in the Eat Right and Move program displayed decreased cardiovascular risk factors after completion of the 6 month program.
Results from the Eat Right and Move Pilot study display that community-placed programming in areas of food and activity deserts, done in conjunction with input from community members, can be effective in improving cardiovascular risk factors (BMI, hypertension, blood glucose, hyperlipidemia) in the Black population.
To provide sustainability for the program Community Health Organizers (CHO’s) were trained in 2022 to take over the program and continue to provide exercises and nutrition classes as well as community outreach. This Phase 2 of the study was funded by Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Commission: Louisiana Well Again Grant.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Institutional Wellness
OUR MISSION To promote the health and wellness of our LSUHS community through education and efforts that encourage habits of wellness, inspire and empower individuals to take responsibility for their own health, and support a sense of community in which health and overall well-being is recognized as an essential element of success.
Marie Vazquez Morgan PhD, PT
Assistant Vice Chancellor of Institutional Wellness Cole Endowed Professor in Community Health Initiatives Associate Professor School of Allied Health Professions Physical Therapy Department
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Second Saturday for Seniors
The Center for Brain Health and The Bridge Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center have created a workshop for caregivers and people with dementia. The topics of the events include anything from BINGO to equine therapy and are designed to support social interaction and fun for families struggling with dementia.
EVENT DATES: February 12, 2022 . . Jam Session March 12, 2022 . . . . . Game Day April 9, 2022 . . . . . . . Let’s Dance May 14, 2022 . . . . . . The Next Chaper June 11, 2022 . . . . . . Food for Thought
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Raising Awareness of Dementia Support Services
This year offered numerous opportunities to reach the greater Northwest Louisiana community. Through events and health fairs, we were able to provide education on Alzheimer’s and aging, including information about our Care Navigator program and ways to cope with care giving. Members of the community were excited to learn about our Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s research which resulted in a fantastic response to our invitation to participate in the studies.
SOME OF THE EVENTS WE ATTENDED:
Claiborne Parish Forum
JUNE 2022
Springhill Forum
JUNE 2022
Caddo Council on Aging Health Fair
JUNE 2022
LSU Wellness Health Fair
APRIL 2022
Senior Health Exhibit at Centerwell
MARCH 5, 2022
State Fair Senior Health Expo
OCTOBER 2020
Octoberfest, Bossier Council on Aging
OCTOBER 2021
Resource & Info Expo at Riverview Hall
SEPTEMBER 2021
If you are interested in learning more about research participation, call us at The Bridge.
