Keywords

African American, children, community-based participatory research, faith-based organizations, obesity, WIC

 

Authors

  1. Reifsnider, Elizabeth PhD, PHCNS-BC, WHNP
  2. Hargraves, Martha PhD, MPH
  3. Williams, Karen Jaynes PhD, MHSA
  4. Cooks, John BA
  5. Hall, Valerie BSN, RN

Abstract

This article describes the creation of a faith-based, community action research intervention aimed at reducing childhood obesity among a vulnerable population. Of particular concern to the community was the prevalence of obesity among its minority children. Engaging parents in a childhood obesity initiative through faith-based organizations (churches, community organizations with a common religious focus) was a method to provide a research intervention. It is important for researchers to be culturally competent, employ community-based participatory research methods, carefully plan interventions that have clear outcome criteria, and build evaluation of the process into every step of the research.