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Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes to Decrease Unhealthy Eating Patterns and Improve Blood Pressure in African Americans

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Hypertension in High Risk African Americans

Part of the book series: Clinical Hypertension and Vascular Diseases ((CHVD))

Abstract

Data are limited for effective therapeutic lifestyle modifications or therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC) interventions targeting minorities for promoting healthy eating behaviors and improving high blood pressure. Unhealthy eating habits or adverse lifestyle behaviors are directly related to high blood pressure. The purpose of this chapter is to address a critical gap in hypertension research on how to provide knowledge to sustain effective non-pharmacological treatment or TLC to and modify unhealthy eating and unhealthy eating. Specifically the beneficial effects of Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet are highlighted, with a description of the theory-driven conceptual framework anchored by cognitive social and self-regulation model theories. These approaches identify how cognitive representations or culturally relevant perceptions (beliefs, attitudes, and intensions for behavior) affect the knowledge to set goals and guide decisions for motivation and self-confidence to accomplish long-term lifestyle behavioral changes.

The development and pilot testing of the computer-mediated cognitive-behavioral intervention, the Women’s Hypertension Experiences and Emerging Lifestyles Intervention (WHEELS-I) Program, is presented. Results after random assignment to experimental and control groups (N = 80; age 30–85; >70 % African American women) demonstrated statistically significant reductions in systolic blood pressure at 30 and 90 days of −9 mmHg and −8 mmHg, for DASH diet cognitive representations and adherence. WHEELS-I Program is an effective example for improving healthy eating habits and improving blood pressure, showing greater effectiveness for African American women than white women. The chapter concludes with recommendations for future research.

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Acknowledgements

This project was supported and funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of Michigan, University of Michigan, School of Nursing and Office of the Senior, Vice-Provost Academic Affairs. A debt of gratitude is owed to the women who volunteered to participate in the research study and to Kenneth Jamerson, M.D.; Susan Steigerwalt, M.D.; Stephanie Lucas, M.D.; Shelia Crowley, A.R.N.P.; and Robin Nwankwo, R.D., M.P.H.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Nursing, University of Michigan, 400 North Ingalls Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA

    Margaret Scisney-Matlock R.N., M.S.N., Ph.D., F.A.A.N., Elizabeth Brough R.N., M.S.N., Ph.D., Olubunmi Daramola R.N., M.S.N., A.R.N.P., Ph.D., Markia Jones R.N., B.S.N., A.R.N.P., M.S., Lenette Jones R.N., B.S.N., M.S., Ph.D. & Susan Holmes R.N., M.S., Ph.D.

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  1. Margaret Scisney-Matlock R.N., M.S.N., Ph.D., F.A.A.N.
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  2. Elizabeth Brough R.N., M.S.N., Ph.D.
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  3. Olubunmi Daramola R.N., M.S.N., A.R.N.P., Ph.D.
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  4. Markia Jones R.N., B.S.N., A.R.N.P., M.S.
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  5. Lenette Jones R.N., B.S.N., M.S., Ph.D.
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  6. Susan Holmes R.N., M.S., Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Margaret Scisney-Matlock R.N., M.S.N., Ph.D., F.A.A.N. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

    Keith C. Ferdinand

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Scisney-Matlock, M., Brough, E., Daramola, O., Jones, M., Jones, L., Holmes, S. (2015). Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes to Decrease Unhealthy Eating Patterns and Improve Blood Pressure in African Americans. In: Ferdinand, K. (eds) Hypertension in High Risk African Americans. Clinical Hypertension and Vascular Diseases. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2010-5_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2010-5_3

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-2009-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-2010-5

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