PhD Student Conley Submits NIH NRSA Application

Kudos to Cherie Conley and her advisors for the submission of her NIH NRSA application entitled "Feasibility of Using Peer Support Dyads in an Obesity Prevention Program." This proposal requests funds for a 21 year month with a start date of April 1, 2018.

Abstract: African Americans suffer from a disproportionate burden of obesity and obesity-related chronic disease. Obesity is linked to increased risk of developing Type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. African American churches are an important resource and potential driver of obesity prevention and reduction for African Americans. Obesity prevention and weight loss programs in African American churches produce some positive findings, however the results tend to be weak. This may be due to not maximizing peer support. Peer dyadic support, is a form of social support that is linked to improvements in weight loss. Peer support dyads rely on program participants themselves, instead of or in addition to program administrators, lay leaders or outside experts, to provide support to one another to achieve personal health goals. This study will test the feasibility of using peer support dyads to augment an existing weight loss promotion program targeting African American churches.