Community-Based Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce CVD Risk & Disparities in Risk

This study aims to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and disparities in risk by improving lifestyle factors which underlie the development of CVD. The first steps will involve conducting a comprehensive formative evaluation to assess individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy factors relevant to CVD risk and risk reduction in Lenoir County. This will be followed by a community-based lifestyle intervention program designed to improve eating patterns, promote physical activity, and for those who are interested, support weight loss. A randomized trial comparing the effectiveness of two community based weight maintenance interventions will also be conducted. Community-wide policy and environmental change interventions will also be implemented to support the individual-level interventions, including partnerships with businesses to promote a healthy environment through innovative economic opportunities. In addition, this project will explore genetic factors associated with cardiovascular disease risk and treatment success.