Clinical trial NCT00005437: Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Risk in Black Girls
Study type: OBSERVATIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Conditions: Cardiovascular Diseases
Heart Diseases
Hypertension
Obesity
Lead sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
First posted: 2000-05-26
Sex: FEMALE
Minimum age (years): 11
Maximum age (years): 17
Standard ages: CHILD
Accepts healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary: 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.

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.

Eligibility criteria: No eligibility criteria

Primary outcomes:
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
Study officials:
affiliation: The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
name: Wedell Taylor
References:
citation: 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.
citation: 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.