Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Risk in Black Girls

To conduct a longitudinal study investigating the physical activity patterns, the psychosocial predictors of physical activity, and the effects of physical activity changes on blood pressure and body fatness in a cohort of African-American girls, ages 11-17.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Heart Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Hypertension; Obesity

Detailed Description

BACKGROUND:

The study contributed to an underdeveloped area of research. Physical activity is recommended as a nonpharmacological means to modify hypertension and obesity, two cardiovascular risk factors. African-American women have low levels of physical activity and high rates of obesity, hypertension, and mortality from coronary heart disease, diabetes, and hypertensive diseases. In 1992, there was an absence of longitudinal data about the physical activity habits of African-American girls even though a decline in physical activity during adolescence had been reported in other subpopulations.

DESIGN NARRATIVE:

Within the framework of puberty and maturation, the study: 1) described longitudinal patterns of physical activity; 2) assessed longitudinal changes in physical activity and concomitant changes in blood pressure and body fatness; and 3) determined psychosocial predictors of changes in physical activity. The investigators hypothesized that there would be a monotonic decrease in physical activity and that psychosocial variables would predict changes in physical activity. The study population consisted of 189 sixth grade, mostly African-American, girls in Fort Bend Independent School District, Missouri City, Texas. The girls were measured for four and a half years, ages 11 or 12 at entry of the study. Anthropometry, sexual maturation, blood pressure, physical activity habits and psychosocial predictors were measured twice a year for a total of nine examinations. Data on dietary, smoking and drinking habits were collected annually. Activity patterns, psychosocial predictors and other habits were assessed by interviews and questionnaires. Sexual maturation was assessed by menarche and the Tanner stages. Skinfold and circumference measures determined body fatness and body fat distribution.

• Study Type: Observational

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 11 years to 17 years (Child)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: Female

Description

No eligibility criteria

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
• Collaborators: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
• Investigators: Wedell Taylor, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Taylor WC, Yancey AK, Leslie J, Murray NG, Cummings SS, Sharkey SA, Wert C, James J, Miles O, McCarthy WJ. Physical activity among African American and Latino middle school girls: consistent beliefs, expectations, and experiences across two sites. Women Health. 1999;30(2):67-82. doi: 10.1300/j013v30n02_05.
• Taylor WC, Chan W, Cummings SS, Simons-Morton BG, Day RS, Sangi-Haghpeykar H, Pivarnik JS, Mueller WH, Detry MA, Wei II, Johnson-Masotti AP, Hsu HA. Healthy Growth: project description and baseline findings. Ethn Dis. 2002 Fall;12(4):567-77.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: February 1, 1992
• Study Completion: January 1, 1998

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 25, 2000
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 25, 2000
• First Posted (Estimate): May 26, 2000

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): October 1, 2021
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 29, 2021
• Last Verified: September 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Heart Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases
• Other Study ID Numbers: 4365; R29HL047659 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)