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HIP Project to Focus on Health Behaviors of African American Women HOUSTON, June 26, 2006—More fruits and vegetables. More physical activity. Better overall health. African American women in Houston have an opportunity to pursue these goals as part of a new University of Houston study, Health Is Power (HIP). “We know that good health is one of the greatest blessings that anyone can have, but getting there is always the challenge,” Rebecca Lee, assistant professor in the UH Department of Health and Human Performance and lead investigator in the HIP project, said. “We’re looking for women ready to work together to attain these healthy goals.” The HIP project is now recruiting African American women in Houston between the ages of 25 and 60 years old who would like to improve their health by exercising more or eating more fruits and vegetables. Women must be able to perform physical activity, like walking, or change their diet without medical supervision. Eligible women will receive free health assessments (weight, height, body fat, blood pressure and resting heart rate) and a modest stipend. Participants must agree to attend classes on physical activity or nutrition and adopt goals set by their group, for example, participate in a walking program or eat more fruits and vegetables. Those interested in participating in Lee’s Houston study should contact Jacque Reese-Smith at 713-743-1183 or jsmith@mail.coe.uh.edu. The HIP project is a five-year study funded by a $3 million grant from the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health. It focuses on African American women because they are more vulnerable obesity and related illnesses, Lee said, and because there is little research done with African American women. The HIP project will be enrolling women during the next two years. The first of six cohorts in Houston begins July 10. Women will complete three health assessments to track their progress: at the beginning of the study, at the six month mark and at the one year mark. In all, 250 women will participate in the HIP project in Houston. “Group strategies, or “social cohesion groups,” have been successful in helping people meet individual goals, but this project is different because it focuses on a group of women with a shared goal,” Lee said. “Groups that focus on a shared group goal usually have stronger outcomes and better maintenance than groups that focus on individual goals. The key to success is having a shared goal among group members. Each group member must participate at a high level to achieve their shared goal, and no single person can be responsible for the success of the group goal.” The HIP program is also recruiting 250 Hispanic women in Austin. Lee has conducted extensive research on the subject of obesity, in particular the neighborhood factors that may lead to obesity such as availability and quality of fresh produce, and the quality and quantity of physical activity resources available in neighborhoods. To read more about her research, please visit these sites:
For more information on the UH Department of Health and Human Performance,
please visit www.hhp.uh.edu/
About the University of Houston The University of Houston, Texas’ premier metropolitan research
and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers
and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate,
civic and governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research university
in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and
service with more than 35,000 students. For more information about UH visit the university’s ‘Newsroom’ at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom. |
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