Don’t Weight to Lose: A practical weight loss and nutrition
awareness program designed for church members
Courseault, J.1, Jupiter, R.1, Rabito, F., PhD2
1Tulane University School of Medicine, 2School of Public Health, New Orleans, Louisiana
Introduction
Methods
Don’t Weight to Lose is an 9-week program designed to
incorporate recommendations from previous studies in
order to promote self-efficacy and long-term behavior
change in dieting and exercise habits. Church-based
health programs have shown to be holistically effective
in eliminating ethnic health disparities.
This study
evaluates the effectiveness of this program in (1)
Discussion
Results
High-intensity resistance and cardiovascular exercise are
102 overweight/obese adults from Franklin Avenue
50 (49%) attended 3 of 3 body composition
Baptist Church in New Orleans participated in the
sessions. Significant improvements were noted in
study. Body composition, hip circumference and
areas of weight loss (-9.4lbs), hip circumference (-
fruit and vegetable intake were determined at
2.5 inches) and fruit and vegetable intake (+3.0).
baseline, 3 weeks, 5 weeks, and 8 weeks. Data
Body fat % (+1.94%) and fat free mass (-10.58)
was analyzed for those attending 3 of 3 body
were shown to have negative outcomes.
effective weight loss interventions in church-based health
programs. Practical recommendations in nutrition promote
an increase in fruit and vegetable intake from baseline.
Diuretic use, obesity, and daily habits interfere with body
fluids that are calculated with bioelectric impedance, which
may explain negative outcomes in body fat% and fat free
composition sessions.
increasing weight loss, (2) increasing fat free mass, (3)
mass. Don’t Weight to Lose prescriptions in weight loss and
increasing fruit and vegetable intake, (4)
nutrition promote healthy behaviors in the church
and
decreasing body fat %.
35
community.
Figure 2: Participants actively
engage in a speaker session given
by Dr. Corey Hebert on Stress
Management.
Results
4
2
Health Status
0
References
30
-2
Axis Title
Percent
25
20
15
10
-4
-6
5
0
-8
Figure 1: Health status reported by participants during the initial
assessment phase
Figure 3: Participants are taught
how to effectively use the exercise
equipment for the slow burn
exercise technique.
-10
-12
Weight Loss (lbs.)
Series1
-9.4
Hip
Circumference
(Inches)
-2.5
Fruit and
Vegetable Intake
(per day)
3
Body Fat (%)
Fat Free Mass
(lbs.)
1.94
-10.58
Purpose
To evaluate the effectiveness of:
Mission Statement
To initiate and maintain an effective longterm health program based on scientific
research and the specific needs of the New
Orleans community.
• High-intensity 20 minute 3x/week resistance band exercise
(8 second repetitions, moderate to heavy resistance, 2 sets)
• High-intensity 20 minute 3x/week cardiovascular exercise
(75-90% full effort pace) on body fat%, fat free mass and
weight loss, and also to determine adherence to practical
changes in dietary recommendations on fruit and vegetable
intake.
Figure 4: Highly efficient Tanita scale used to measure body
compositions during sessions biweekly.
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Acknowledgements: Timothy Harlan, M.D., Corey Hebert, M.D., and
Otis Drew, M.D.
Tulane University School of Medicine
Student National Medical Association
Pfizer
Franklin Avenue Baptist Church
New Orleans, Louisiana
City of New Orleans Health Department