Enhancing the Awareness of Modifiable Risk Factors for Cancer Prevention in the Alabama Black Belt Region: A Follow-up Study.

We determined the profile of participants in the multi-level annual marathons held in Alabama Black Belt counties in terms of lifestyle characteristics and considered how these characteristics relate to a family history of cancer. Data on socioeconomic, health, and lifestyle characteristics of respondents were collected during the Annual Healthy Lifestyle Marathons of 2013-2019. These events were five miles in length and allowed participants to walk, bike, or run. Characteristics of respondents were compared using frequencies, percentages, and cross-tabulations. Most of the respondents with a family history of cancer were within the 18 to 24-year age category; had an annual income in the range of under U.S. $10,000; had received some college training; reported their overall health as good; and were African American. Although low consumption of fruits and vegetables has a demonstrated association with being diagnosed with cancer, in 2019 only 43% of respondents reported frequent intake of fruits and vegetables. Community-based health programs are critically needed to improve health in rural Black Belt communities.

Weight and blood pressure reduction among participants engaged in a cancer awareness and prevention program.

OBJECTIVES: African-Americans consume a diet high in fat, salt and sugar; such dietary habits increase the risks of cancer and other chronic diseases. The objective of this study was to engage rural communities in a nutrition and physical activity behavior modification program to promote cancer awareness and risk reduction. METHODS: Focus group discussions were conducted to generate information for the development of a nutrition and physical activity program. African Americans (N=62) from two rural counties (Bullock and Macon) in Alabama participated in a year-long intervention program in 2012 and 2013. Weight loss and blood pressure were evaluated to measure the impact of the intervention. RESULTS: Themes emerged for the focus group discussions were: nutrition, health, family, environment, and resource access. In Macon County participants lost weight irrespective of the exercise regimen, with those involved in floor exercise losing the most weight (-22.4 lbs, or-11.18 % change), while in Bullock county walking was most effective in weight loss (6.1 lbs or -3.40 % change) p<0.05. Systolic and diastolic pressure decreased from 5.3 to 10.5 mm Hg; -2.0 to -6.4 mmHg, respectively, for Bullock county, except for the walking group,). In Macon County, both systolic and diastolic pressure % change ranged from -8.94 to 12.66 and -5.34 to 12.66 mmHg respectively, irrespective of physical activity respectively. CONCLUSION: In this study, changes in weight lost and blood pressure were observed among individuals engaged in a nutrition education and physical activity program.

Diets containing traditional and novel green leafy vegetables improve liver fatty acid profiles of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

BACKGROUND: The consumption of green leafy vegetables (GLVs) has been demonstrated to reduce the risks associated with cardiovascular and other diseases. However, no literature exists that examines the influence of traditional and novel GLVs on the liver fatty acid profile of an animal model genetically predisposed to developing hypertension. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of diets containing 4% collard greens, purslane or sweet potato greens on the liver fatty acid profiles of four-week old male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs, N = 44). Following four weeks consumption of the diets, liver fatty acid profiles were determined by gas-liquid chromatography of transesterified fatty acid methyl esters. RESULTS: SHRs consuming the control diet had greater percentages of liver saturated fatty acid and less omega-3 fatty acid percentages. SHRs consuming the diets containing vegetables had significantly greater liver concentrations of γ- linolenic, docosahexaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, as well as lower levels of lauric, palmitic and arachidonic acids. SHRs consuming the control diet had significantly greater percentages (p < 0.05) of oleic; significantly less γ-linolenic and docosahexaenoic acids. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the ability of GLVs to modulate liver fatty acid composition, thus providing protection against elevations in atherogenic fatty acids, which may be involved in CVD pathogenesis. Consequently, dietary recommendations for the prevention of CVD should consider the possible cardioprotective benefits and the subsequent alterations in fatty acid profiles afforded by diets containing collard greens, purslane and sweet potato greens.

The impact of high fat diets on physiological changes in euthyroid and thyroid altered rats.

The association of adverse health with high fat intake has long been recognized. However, the lack of research focusing on the interrelationship of thyroid and liver function, and the pathogenesis of a high fat diet leaves these topics poorly understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the physiological changes in euthyroid and thyroid altered animal model fed saturated and unsaturated high fat diets. To achieve this objective adult male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 100) were fed one of five diets; a control or one of four test diets containing 25% saturated or unsaturated, and 37% saturated or unsaturated fats for a period of eight weeks. Each experimental group consisted of ten euthyroid and ten thyroid altered animals. An altered thyroid state was chemically induced with the addition of 0.05% propylthiouracil (PTU) in the drinking water. Euthyroid animals fed high fat diets increased in body weights and body lengths, compared to thyroid altered animals (P < 0.05). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and asparte aminotransferase (AST) levels increased across all experimental groups. HbA1C values and urinary glucose values were within normal range for all animals. Liver morphology showed increased hepatic stellate (ito) and vacuole cells in thyroid altered animals. These findings suggest that altered thyroid status negatively impacts growth and weight gain, and simultaneously affected lipid metabolism, resulting in abnormal liver morphology.

Dietary consumption practices and cancer risk in African Americans in the rural South.

This study describes the dietary consumption practices of a sample of African Americans in the rural South. A qualitative research design involving a cross-sectional food diary was utilized. Complete datasets were collected from 114 participants, 66% female, between the ages of 19 and 79 years. The consumption of a variety of fruits, non-starchy vegetables and unprocessed cereals in daily meals was low in this sample. Frequent consumption of fried foods; fast foods; sugary, carbonated beverages; processed, high-fat and high-sodium foods; and low fruit and non-starchy vegetable intake were evident. The findings are crucial to the development for culturally-specific nutrition education intervention programs for African Americans in the rural South targeted at the modification of not only diet, but food preparation methods to reduce cancer risk.

Healthy Lifestyle: a community-based cancer awareness and prevention intervention program.

Healthy Lifestyle engages the community in the development of a health behavior modification program to reduce cancer risk among African Americans. The objectives are 1) to assess knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that affect cancer risk through focus group discussions; and 2) to identify community members to implement programs and practices that facilitate healthy behavior routines. Thirty-four African American focus group participants completed surveys regarding health knowledge and behavioral practices. Results from the focus groups identified three themes: 1) Health and Nutrition; 2) Environment; and 3) Family. The majority of focus group participants (94%) indicated that annual physical exams were important. However, of that group, 47% had not had a physical within the last 12 months and only 44% had scheduled appointments. Of the 79% who indicated they could commit to a two-year study, only 64% felt they could be leaders.

Rural African Americans' dietary knowledge, perceptions, and behavior in relation to cardiovascular disease.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship of demographics to opinions and knowledge of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity, and dietary intake and to evaluate the relationship of dietary knowledge and dietary behaviors in rural African American adults. METHODS: The cross-sectional study involved a sample of participants who attended one of three cardiovascular information seminars in rural Macon County, Alabama. A total of 127 African American men and women, aged 21-75 years, completed a self-administered 79-item questionnaire. Data analysis included Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. OUTCOME MEASURES: Agreement or disagreement with current scientific opinion regarding coronary heart disease, obesity, and dietary intake; agreement with statements of personal knowledge of heart disease, hypertension, and dietary intake; assessment and beliefs about the health risks associated with overweight/ obesity; and congruence between dietary knowledge and dietary practices. RESULTS: Women and older respondents tended to agree more with current scientific knowledge about heart disease mortality than did men and younger respondents. Younger respondents reported knowledge but less personal concern about fat intake/heart disease and salt intake/hypertension associations than did other age groups. Participants generally believed that excess weight increased the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer "a lot." Knowledge of the salt content of processed foods was associated with decreased frequency of adding salt at the table, while those not concerned about salt consumption and hypertension were more likely to add salt and consume processed meats. Respondents with knowledge of the effects of fat intake on heart disease were more likely to consume low-fat dairy products. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that sex and age, in particular, require consideration in the development of community cardiovascular disease intervention programs aimed at southern, rural African American adults.