TY - JOUR
T1 - A 40-day journey to better health
T2 - Utilizing the danielfast to improve health outcomes in urban church-based settings
AU - Vaughn, Nicole A.
AU - Brown, Darryl
AU - Reyes, Beatriz O.
AU - Wyatt, Crystal
AU - Arnold, Kimberly T.
AU - Dalianis, Elizabeth
AU - Kalksma, Paula J.
AU - Roth, Caryn
AU - Langheier, Jason
AU - Pajil-Battle, Maria
AU - Grant, Meg
N1 - Funding Information:
Acknowledgments: The authors would like to thank AmeriHealth Caritas Partnership for funding this program and the study. The funding sponsors had no role in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, and in the decision to publish the results. We would also like to extend special thanks to Sandra Ludewig & Zachary Babel at Rowan University in the Department of Health and Exercise Sciences in Glassboro, NJ for their role in preparing this manuscript.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
PY - 2018/3
Y1 - 2018/3
N2 - Background: As the costs associated with obesity increase, it is vital to evaluate the effectiveness of chronic disease prevention among underserved groups, particularly in urban settings. This research study evaluated Philadelphia area Keystone First members and church participants enrolled in a group health education program to determine the impact of the Daniel Fast on physical health and the adoption of healthy behaviors. Methods: Participants attended six-weekly health education sessions in two participating churches, and were provided with a digital healthy eating platform. Results: There was a statistically significant decrease from baseline to post assessment for weight, waist circumference and cholesterol. Participants reported a significant improvement in their overall well-being, social and physical functioning, vitality and mental health. Conclusion: Results of this study demonstrate that dietary recommendations and comprehensive group health education delivered in churches and reinforced on a digital platform can improve physical health, knowledge and psychosocial outcomes.
AB - Background: As the costs associated with obesity increase, it is vital to evaluate the effectiveness of chronic disease prevention among underserved groups, particularly in urban settings. This research study evaluated Philadelphia area Keystone First members and church participants enrolled in a group health education program to determine the impact of the Daniel Fast on physical health and the adoption of healthy behaviors. Methods: Participants attended six-weekly health education sessions in two participating churches, and were provided with a digital healthy eating platform. Results: There was a statistically significant decrease from baseline to post assessment for weight, waist circumference and cholesterol. Participants reported a significant improvement in their overall well-being, social and physical functioning, vitality and mental health. Conclusion: Results of this study demonstrate that dietary recommendations and comprehensive group health education delivered in churches and reinforced on a digital platform can improve physical health, knowledge and psychosocial outcomes.
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U2 - 10.3390/healthcare6010025
DO - 10.3390/healthcare6010025
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85052903915
SN - 2227-9032
VL - 6
JO - Healthcare (Switzerland)
JF - Healthcare (Switzerland)
IS - 1
M1 - 25
ER -