Integrating cardiovascular health education with indoor cycling among female inmates: a proof of concept study

Abstract

Introduction: Female prison inmates are an understudied population with increased cardiovascular (CV) disease risk (e.g.,overweight, low physical activity (PA), increased stress). This study examined feasibility of an integrated CV-health promotion education+ PA program (indoor cycling) tailored to this population. Methods: 150 incarcerated women enrolled in our 8-week intervention vs. a no-treatment control. Health education topics included nutrition, PA promotion, stress and weight management, and smoking relapse prevention. Health behaviors were assessed at baseline and post-test. Results: Preliminary results show participants characteristics were mean age = 33.8 +10.3 years; 47% smokers; 57% African American, 92% overweight/obese. CV health: At post-test, 76.5% in intervention completed the 3-minute step test compared to 23.5% in control group (p=.02). Approximately 30% in intervention had pre-post BMI reduction (19% in control). Health behaviors: Intervention women had improved post-test health knowledge (77% vs. 23% in control had improved knowledge of recommended fruit/vegetable serving sizes). 57% in intervention (vs. 43% controls) reported increasing fruits and vegetable consumption at post-test. Discussion: Results shows feasibility of a novel behavioral intervention and can guide larger efficacy trials for this high-risk sample.