Cardiac assessment risk evaluation (CARE study) of African American college women

Objective To identify physiological and psychosocial variables of young African American women that may serve as a risk factor for heart disease and to assess their health promotion programme preferences. Method A descriptive design was used to assess the cardiovascular risk factors of 100 African American women ages 18 to 40 years, enrolled in a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the south. The instruments included four questionnaires: a demographic questionnaire, Gieselman Food Preference Questionnaire (GFPQ), PBRC Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and the Personal Wellness Profile (PWP). Physiological data were obtained using a stadiometer, beam balance scale, Lifescan Blood Glucose Monitoring System, BioScanner 2000 Test System, sphygmomanometer, and carbon monoxide analyser. Results The mean age of the participants was 25.5 (SD=5.8) years. The overall PWP wellness score for the participants was 43 (SD=15) with a range from 10 to 74. Of the 100 participants, 55 per cent had increased body mass index (BMI); 66 per cent had increased waist-to-hip ratios; 49 per cent 'did not' engage in an exercise programme, and 45 per cent consumed a diet that was'mostly high' to 'high' in fat content. The majority of the participants (92 per cent) reported that they had a good social support system. Fifty-five per cent of the women reported an interest in the following health promotion programmes: weight management, nutrition, aerobics, and women's health. Conclusion Information obtained from this study can be useful in developing culturally-customised, gender-appropriate, interventions for this select population of women. Early interventions with young African American women that focus on diet, exercise and weight management may reduce the risk and incidence of cardiovascular disease. The college years is considered a time for adaptation, and as such, is an opportune time to educate individuals on health promoting behaviours and the long- term effect that health promoting behaviours can have on their lives. Research to gain new insights on factors that reduce cardiovascular risk behaviour in African American women is critical to advancing the health of African American women.