Abstract
PURPOSE: Black breast cancer survivors have high rates of obesity and low physical activity levels. Little is known about the acceptability and feasibility of interventions in this population. OBJECTIVE: A two-arm RCT was launched to assess the efficacy of a culturally targeted 12-week multimodal lifestyle intervention in overweight and obese black survivors. METHODS: Intervention components included nutrition education, exercise groups, and survivor-led motivational interviewing phone sessions. The analytic sample included women who completed the trial (intervention n=10; control n=12). Anthropometric measures, physical activity, and VO2max were assessed at baseline and follow-up. Change scores (intervention vs. control) were assessed with Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. A process evaluation assessed intervention acceptability. RESULTS: Overall adherence was 70% and overall satisfaction was high (86%). Despite the 5% weight loss target, the intervention group lost 0.8% but BMI improved. Total physical activity levels increased in the intervention vs. control arm (+3501METmin/week vs. +965METmin/week, respectively). VO2max improved in the intervention group (+0.10±1.03kg/L/min). Intervention participants reduced energy intake (-207.3±31.5kcals) and showed improvements in fat intake (-15.5±3.8g), fiber (+3.2±1.2g) and % energy from fat (-4.8±3.1%). Survivors suggested providing diet/exercise information within a cancer context. CONCLUSIONS: Group and individualized intervention strategies are acceptable to black survivors. Observed differences between self-report and objective outcomes may suggest reporting bias or changes in body composition. Increasing supervised intervention components and assessment of body composition will be important for future trials.