Fruit and vegetable consumption and prevention of cancer: the Black Churches United for Better Health project.

TitleFruit and vegetable consumption and prevention of cancer: the Black Churches United for Better Health project.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1999
AuthorsCampbell, MK, Demark-Wahnefried, W, Symons, M, Kalsbeek, WD, Dodds, J, Cowan, A, Jackson, B, Motsinger, B, Hoben, K, Lashley, J, Demissie, S, McClelland, JW
JournalAmerican journal of public health
Volume89
Issue9
Pagination1390-6
Date Published1999 Sep
ISSN0090-0036
KeywordsAdolescent, Adult, African Americans, Age Factors, Aged, Clergy, Educational Status, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Food Habits, Fruit, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Health Promotion, Humans, Male, Marital Status, Middle Aged, Neoplasms, North Carolina, Program Evaluation, Questionnaires, Religion, Rural Health, Vegetables
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the effects of the Black Churches United for Better Health project on increasing fruit and vegetable consumption among rural African American church members in North Carolina.

METHODS: Ten counties comprising 50 churches were pair matched and randomly assigned to either intervention or delayed intervention (no program until after the follow-up survey) conditions. A multicomponent intervention was conducted over approximately 20 months. A total of 2519 adults (77.3% response rate) completed both the baseline and 2-year follow-up interviews.

RESULTS: The 2 study groups consumed similar amounts of fruits and vegetables at baseline. AT the 2-year follow-up, the intervention group consumed 0.85 (SE = 0.12) servings more than the delayed intervention group (P < .0001). The largest increases were observed among people 66 years or older (1 serving), those with education beyond high school (0.92 servings), those widowed or divorced (0.96 servings), and those attending church frequently (1.3 servings). The last improvement occurred among those aged 18 to 37 years and those who were single.

CONCLUSIONS: The project was a successful model for achieving dietary change among rural African Americans.

DOI10.2105/AJPH.89.9.1390
Alternate JournalAm J Public Health
PubMed ID10474558

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