BACKGROUND: Because residents of the southeastern United States experience disproportionally high rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD), it is important to develop effective lifestyle interventions for this population. METHODS: The primary objective was to develop and evaluate a dietary, physical activity (PA) and weight loss intervention for residents of the southeastern US. The intervention, given in eastern North Carolina, was evaluated in a 2 year prospective cohort study with an embedded randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a weight loss maintenance intervention. The intervention included: Phase I (months 1-6), individually-tailored intervention promoting a Mediterranean-style dietary pattern and increased walking; Phase II (months 7-12), option of a 16-week weight loss intervention for those with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2) offered in 2 formats (16 weekly group sessions or 5 group sessions and 10 phone calls) or a lifestyle maintenance intervention; and Phase III (months 13-24), weight loss maintenance RCT for those losing ≥ 8 lb with all other participants receiving a lifestyle maintenance intervention. Change in diet and PA behaviors, CVD risk factors, and weight were assessed at 6, 12, and 24 month follow-up. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics (N = 339) were: 260 (77 %) females, 219 (65 %) African Americans, mean age 56 years, and mean body mass index 36 kg/m(2). In Phase I, among 251 (74 %) that returned for 6 month follow-up, there were substantial improvements in diet score (4.3 units [95 % CI 3.7 to 5.0]), walking (64 min/week [19 to 109]), and systolic blood pressure (-6.4 mmHg [-8.7 to -4.1]) that were generally maintained through 24 month follow-up. In Phase II, 138 (57 group only, 81 group/phone) chose the weight loss intervention and at 12 months, weight change was: -3.1 kg (-4.9 to -1.3) for group (N = 50) and -2.1 kg (-3.2 to -1.0) for group/phone combination (N = 75). In Phase III, 27 participants took part in the RCT. At 24 months, weight loss was -2.1 kg (-4.3 to 0.0) for group (N = 51) and -1.1 kg (-2.7 to 0.4) for combination (N = 72). Outcomes for African American and whites were similar. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention yielded substantial improvement in diet, PA, and blood pressure, but weight loss was modest. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01433484.

OBJECTIVE: In 2005, 27% of adults reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis (DrDx), and 14% reported chronic joint symptoms but no DrDx (i.e., possible arthritis [PA]). We evaluate the value of including persons classified as PA in surveillance of arthritis. METHODS: In 2005, Kansas, Oklahoma, North Carolina, and Utah added extra questions to their Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) telephone survey targeted to a subsample of those classified as PA. RESULTS: Persons classified as PA (n = 2,884) were younger, more often male, and had less activity limitation than persons with DrDx. Of those classified as PA, half had seen a doctor for their symptoms, 12.5% reported arthritis; 61.9% gave other causes. Of the half who had not seen a doctor, most reported mild symptoms (64.8%). CONCLUSION: Only 6.3% of those classified as PA had what we considered arthritis. Most who did not see a doctor reported mild symptoms and, thus, would be unlikely to be amenable to medical and public health interventions for arthritis. Although including PA would slightly improve the sensitivity of detecting arthritis in the population, it would increase false positives that would interfere with targeting state intervention efforts and burden estimates. The ability to add back questions in BRFSS allows reintroduction of PA should national surveillance suggest it is warranted or studies document an increased rate at which PA turns into arthritis. Currently PA does not need to be included in state arthritis surveillance efforts, and limited question space on surveys is better spent on other arthritis issues.

OBJECTIVE: Assess the cost-effectiveness of a 16-week weight loss intervention (Weight-Wise) for low-income midlife women. METHOD: A randomized controlled trial conducted in North Carolina in 2007 tested a weight loss intervention among 143 women (40-64 years old, mean BMI=35.1 kg/m(2)). Women were randomized to one of two arms-special intervention (n=72) and a wait-listed control group (n=71). Effectiveness measures included changes in weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol. Cost-effectiveness measures calculated life years gained (LYG) from changes in weight, based on excess years life lost (YLL) algorithm. RESULTS: Intervention participants had statistically significant decreases in weight (kg) (-4.4 95% CI=-5.6, -3.2) and in systolic blood pressure (-6.2 mm Hg, 95% CI=-10.6, -1.7) compared to controls. Total cost of conducting Weight-Wise was $17,403, and the cost per participant in intervention group was $242. The incremental cost per life year gained (discounted) from a decrease in obesity was $1862. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest the Weight-Wise intervention may be a cost-effective approach to improving the health of low-income women.