# Addressing Obesity to Reduce Cancer Risk and Health Disparities in Underserved Populations

> **NIH NIH F99** · OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $47,020

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Obesity and poor health behaviors are major modifiable contributors to health disparities in rural and Appalachian
populations. Residents in rural and Appalachian areas experience higher rates of obesity, cancer incidence, and
mortality, compared to residents in urban or non-Appalachian areas. Obesity increases the risk of 13 cancers
due to excessive adiposity accumulation and abnormal metabolic modifications. Weight loss, physical activity,
and healthy diet potentially attenuate the negative effects of obesity and reduce cancer risk and premature
mortality. Evidence-based weight loss programs have been implemented in clinical settings and showed various
health benefits. However, these programs solely focused on health-promoting resources available in urban areas
and are not generalizable to rural and Appalachian populations. Therefore, developing effective strategies to
provide weight loss programs for rural and Appalachian populations is an important priority. My long-term goal
is to reduce cancer risk and disparities through lifestyle modifications among rural and Appalachian populations.
To achieve this goal, the F99 phase focuses on understanding characteristics of rural and Appalachian
populations that influence health behaviors and obesity-related health outcomes (Aim 1a), identifying targetable
factors for intervention (Aim 1b), and translation of an evidence-based weight loss program to rural populations
(Aim 1c). To complete Aim 1a, we will utilize 2011-2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data. To
complete Aim 1b, we will conduct post-hoc mediation analysis using data from a completed NCI-sponsored
group-randomized weight loss trial in Appalachian adults. To complete Aim 1c, I will coordinate a 15-week
telephone-based pilot weight loss intervention among rural Ohio residents. This pilot study will translate an
evidence-based weight loss intervention with tailored strategies for rural populations to meet their needs. We will
determine the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention among rural populations. The results from studies
in the F99 phase will guide the design of the intervention in the K00 phase: I will determine the dose-response
effect of a weight loss intervention on cancer risk factors in rural and Appalachian populations (Aim 2). To
complete this aim, I will design and conduct a pilot weight loss randomized controlled trial among
overweight/obese residents in rural and Appalachian areas. The proposed research aligns with an NCI strong
interest of behavioral intervention and cancer prevention across diverse populations. The proposed research
and training plan will: 1) provide the multidisciplinary training necessary to accelerate the translation of research
findings into the design and conduct of lifestyle interventions; 2) facilitate my long-term goal to become a
successful independent investigator with a focus on lifestyle modifications and cancer prevention in rural and
Appalach...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10065366
- **Project number:** 1F99CA253745-01
- **Recipient organization:** OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Xiaochen Zhang
- **Activity code:** F99 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $47,020
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-08-12 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10065366

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10065366, Addressing Obesity to Reduce Cancer Risk and Health Disparities in Underserved Populations (1F99CA253745-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10065366. Licensed CC0.

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