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This research report describes the process and results of recruiting African American adolescent girls and parents for a secondary weight gain prevention study. We sought to recruit 60 girls with equal representation of at-risk for overweight (BMI percentile 85-95) and overweight (BMI >95th percentile), and at least one obese (BMI>30 kg/m²) parent. A personal and individual recruitment approach was the sole method utilized for recruitment of participants into this two-year Internet-based study targeting weight gain prevention. Participants were randomized to either an interactive behavioral condition or a health-based education (control) condition. Fifty-seven African American adolescent girls and their parents were enrolled in the study conducted at a university-based nutrition research center. One hundred eight adolescent girls volunteered and met the study criteria on the first contact, 95 interviewed in the clinic, 64 were randomized, and 57 (89%) of those randomized began the study. Seven percent of the study sample was comprised of African American girls at-risk for overweight, while the majority (93%) of those enrolled were overweight (BMI >95th percentile). Our study sample comprised an imbalanced number of overweight versus at-risk for overweight African American girls suggesting that perhaps a clinic-based secondary weight gain prevention study may be an inefficient and ineffective setting for recruiting this population. Although we were successful in recruiting a majority of overweight girls, we conclude that the imbalance in the number of participants recruited is likely related to the sociocultural environment that predisposes African American girls to obesity and a lack of awareness by the parents' of the consequences of being overweight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to examine factors that influence and hinder participation of African Americans in clinical research trials. Specifically, we examined and compared the perceived advantages and disadvantages to participation in clinical research trials, exposure to selected experiences prior to participation (i.e., who and what influenced the decision to participate or not), and perceptions regarding necessary preparation for participation in clinical research trials. Three hundred eighty six African Americans responded to the questionnaire that was administered in the study. As expected, African Americans who had previously participated in a clinical research trial agreed with factors perceived as advantages to participation, while respondents who had not previously participated endorsed factors perceived as potential disadvantages to participation in clinical research trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low socioeconomic status (SES) has been associated with high rates of many chronic diseases. This study was a cluster analysis of data from 9,830 adults in the 1994-96 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by the Individuals (1994-96 CSFII) in order to characterize more fully the biologic and social factors that might be associated with chronic diseases. The study employed cluster analysis to define three SES groups (low, middle, and high) based on income, education, age, gender, and race. A significant increase was found in self-reported diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, obesity, and stroke across these groups, being highest in the lowest SES group. Results revealed that health disparity in the U.S. may be substantial, with some population groups bearing a disproportionate burden of chronic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this is study was to gain an understanding of the knowledge and perceptions African Americans have that influence decisions to participate or not participate in clinical research trials. A survey instrument designed to measure the key variables; knowledge and perceptions of clinical research processes, and selected demographic characteristics were utilized in this study. The major finding suggests that African Americans who have been participants in a clinical trial are more likely to participate in future clinical trials if details are provided in advance concerning the requirements and criteria for their participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]