WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT: Although obesity is correlated with levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, there is little evidence if the increases in obesity over the last 40 years have resulted in increased blood pressure levels. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS:Despite increases in obesity in Bogalusa, Louisiana between 1974 and 1993, there was no increase in systolic or diastolic blood pressure levels. It should not be assumed that trends in high blood pressure have paralleled those for obesity. abstract OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents increased by almost threefold from the 1970s to 2000. We examined whether these secular changes in BMI were accompanied by increases in blood pressure levels. METHODS:A total of 24 092 examinations were conducted among 11 478 children and adolescents (aged 5-17 years) from 1974 to 1993 in the Bogalusa Heart Study (Louisiana). RESULTS:The prevalence of obesity increased from 6% to 17% during this period. In contrast, only small changes were observed in levels of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and neither mean nor high (based on the 90th percentile from the Fourth Report on the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents) levels increased over the 20-year period. Within each race-gender group, mean levels of SBP did not change, whereas mean levels of DBP decreased by 2 mm Hg (P , .001 for trend). Levels of BMI were positively associated with levels of SBP and DBP within each of the 7 examinations, and controlling for BMI (along with other covariates) indicated that only ∼60% as many children as expected had high levels of blood pressure in 1993. CONCLUSIONS:Our finding that levels of DBP and SBP among children in this large sample did not increase despite the increases that were seen in obesity indicates that changes in blood pressure levels in a population do not necessarily parallel changes in obesity. Additional study of the potential characteristics that have ameliorated the expected increase in high blood pressure could lead to further reductions in risk.

Objectives: In this study, we pilot-tested #CRCFree, a Facebook-based intervention aimed at reducing colorectal cancer (CRC) risk in rural Appalachian adults at risk for CRC. Methods: Participants were 56 rural Appalachian adults aged > 50 years. Daily #CRCFree Facebook posts addressed diet, physical activity, and CRC screening. Participants' sociodemographics, diet, body mass index, physical activity, and CRC screening status were measured pre- and post-intervention. The Healthy Eating Index (HEI) and the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) assessed dietary patterns. Facebook engagement was measured throughout the intervention. A post-intervention focus group evaluated intervention acceptability. Results: Participants were Caucasian, aged 58 ± 6 years, and predominantly female (66%). Post-intervention, HEI scores increased (49.9 ± 9.9 vs 58.6 ± 12.1, p = <.001), and DII scores decreased from baseline (2.8 ± 1.1 vs 1.6 ± 1.7, p = .002). There was no change in physical activity, BMI, or CRC screening status. Focus group participants found the intervention to be educational and motivating. Conclusions: These results provide preliminary evidence to support using Facebook to address CRC risk in this population. Participants were responsive to this intervention, and Facebook is a novel and accessible modality for health promotion.

Introduction: Latino communities are disproportionately affected by type 2 diabetes and experience disparities in access to diabetes prevention programs. The purpose of this study was to test the preliminary efficacy of a culturally grounded, diabetes prevention program for high-risk Latino families delivered through an integrated research–practice partnership. Study design: The integrated research–practice partnership was established in a predominantly Latino community and consisted of a Federally Qualified Health Center, a YMCA, an accredited diabetes education program, and an academic research center. Data were collected and analyzed from 2015 to 2018. Setting/participants: Latino families consisting of a parent with an obese child between age 8 and 12 years. Intervention: The 12-week lifestyle intervention included nutrition education and behavioral skills training (60 minutes, once/week) and physical activity classes (60 minutes, three times/week) delivered at a YMCA. Main outcome measures: Outcomes included measures of adiposity (BMI, waist circumference, and body fat); HbA1c; and weight-specific quality of life. Results: Over the course of the 2-year project period, 58 families (parents n=59, children n=68) were enrolled with 36% of parents and 29% of children meeting the criteria for prediabetes at baseline. Feasibility and acceptability were high, with 83% of enrolled families completing the program, 91% of the intervention sessions attended, and 100% of families stating they would recommend the program. The intervention led to significant decreases in percentage body fat among parents (46.4% [SD=10.8] to 43.5% [SD=10.5], p=0.001) as well as children (43.1% [SD=8.0] to 41.8% [SD=7.2], p=0.03). Additionally, HbA1c was significantly reduced in parents (5.6% [SD=0.4] to 5.5% [SD=0.3], p=0.03), and remained stable in children (5.5% [SD=0.3] vs 5.5% [SD=0.3], p>0.05). Significant improvements in quality of life were reported in parents (64.6 [SD=15.8] to 71.0 [SD=13.7],p=0.001) and children (69.7 [SD=15.8] to 72.6 [SD=13.7],p=0.05). Conclusions: These findings support the preliminary efficacy of an integrated research–practice partnership to meet the diabetes prevention needs of high-risk Latino families within a vulnerable community.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk factors in grandparent caregivers living in a rural environment. Methods: Clinical measures (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c], blood pressure, and lipids) and self-reported data on social environment factors were attained. Data were analyzed via Pearson’s correlation and regression models. Results: By clinical definition of diabetes (HbA1c ≥ 6.5%), 21% were prediabetic and 28% had undiagnosed T2DM. There was an association between the number of individuals in the home and triglycerides ( r = −.25), high-density lipoproteins (HDL; r = .43), and body mass index (BMI; r = .39). Guardianship status had a significant association with BMI ( r = −.38). There was a significant association between low-density lipoprotein (LDL; r = −.32) and access to community shared resources. In the adjusted linear model, the number of grandchildren in the home had a significant relationship with HDL (β = .012, p = .021) whereas the number of individuals living in the home had a statistically significant relationship with HDL (β = .026, p < .000) and BMI (β = .046, p = .02). In addition, 15% of participants reported being food insecure. Discussion: Efforts are needed to identify and screen at-risk populations living in geographically isolated areas. Considerations should be given to leveraging existing community resources for grandparent caregivers via schools, health systems, and government agencies to optimize health and well-being.

BackgroundWorkforce and leadership development is imperative for the advancement of public health along the U.S./Mexico border. The Leaders across borders (LaB) program aims to train the public health and health-care workforce of the border region. The LaB is a 6-month intensive leadership development program, which offers training in various areas of public health. Program curriculum topics include: leadership, border health epidemiology, health diplomacy, border public policies, and conflict resolution.MethodsThis article describes the LaB program evaluation outcomes across four LaB cohort graduates between 2010 and 2014. LaB graduates received an invitation to participate via email in an online questionnaire. Eighty-five percent (n = 34) of evaluation participants indicated an improvement in the level of binationality since participating in the LaB program. Identified themes in the evaluation results included increased binational collaborations and partnerships across multidisciplinary organizations that work towards improving the health status of border communities. Approximately 93% (n = 37) of the LaB samples were interested in participating in future binational projects while 80% (n = 32) indicated interest in the proposal of other binational initiatives. Participants expressed feelings of gratitude from employers who supported their participation and successful completion of LaB.DiscussionPrograms such as LaB are important in providing professional development and education to a health-care workforce along the U.S./Mexico border that is dedicated to positively impacting the health outcomes of vulnerable populations residing in this region.