Conclusions: While this study did not demonstrate an intervention effect, it does provide important insight into the psychosocial factors that may underlie blood pressure control in African Americans. Implications for future behavioral intervention trials are discussed.

ObjectiveTo examine social network member characteristics associated with weight loss.MethodsCross-sectional examination of egocentric network data from 245 Black and Hispanic adults with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 enrolled in a small change weight loss study. The relationship between weight loss at 12 months and characteristics of helpful and harmful network members (relationship, contact frequency, living proximity and body size) were examined.ResultsThere were 2,571 network members identified. Mean weight loss was -4.8 (±11.3) lbs. among participants with network help and no harm with eating goals vs. +3.4 (±7.8) lbs. among participants with network harm alone. In a multivariable regression model, greater weight loss was associated with help from a child with eating goals (p=.0002) and coworker help with physical activity (p=.01). Weight gain was associated with having network members with obesity living in the home (p=.048) and increased network size (p=.002).ConclusionsThere was greater weight loss among participants with support from children and coworkers. Weight gain was associated with harmful network behaviors and having network members with obesity in the home. Incorporating child and co-worker support, and evaluating network harm and the body size of network members should be considered in future weight loss interventions.

Recruitment into the FHN Daily Trial proved challenging but the goal of 250 randomized subjects was almost met.

ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between the body size norms of Black and Hispanic adults and the body sizes of their social network members.MethodsEgocentric network data were examined for 245 adults recruited from 2012–2013 in New York City. A multivariable regression model was used to examine the relationship between participants' perception of normal body size and the body sizes of their network members adjusted for participant age, education, race/ethnicity and network size. Participants' body size norms were also examined stratified by the following characteristics of obese network members: frequency of contact, living proximity, relationship, and importance of relationship.ResultsIndex participants were 89% female with mean body mass index 33.5 kg/m2. There were 2571 network members identified (31% overweight, 10% obese). In the fully adjusted multivariable model, perception of normal body size increased as the number of network members with obesity increased (p < 0.01). Larger body size norms were associated with increased frequency of contact with obese network members (p = 0.04), and obese members living in the home (p = 0.049).ConclusionsThese findings support a relationship between the body size norms of Black and Hispanic adults and their social network body size.

This paper describes the application of a translational research model in developing The Trial Using Motivational Interviewing and Positive Affect and Self-Affirmation in African-Americans with Hypertension (TRIUMPH), a theoretically-based, randomized controlled trial. TRIUMPH targets blood pressure control among African-Americans with hypertension in a community health center and public hospital setting. TRIUMPH applies positive affect, self-affirmation, and motivational interviewing as strategies to increase medication adherence and blood pressure control. A total of 220 participants were recruited in TRIUMPH and are currently being followed. This paper provides a detailed description of the theoretical framework and study design of TRIUMPH and concludes with a critical reflection of the lessons learned in the process of implementing a health behavior intervention in a community-based setting. TRIUMPH provides a model for incorporating the translational science research paradigm to conducting pragmatic behavioral trials in a real-world setting in a vulnerable population. Lessons learned through interactions with our community partners reinforce the value of community engagement in research.