# Developing a Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Body Weight for Obese African American Men Living in the Rural South

> **NIH NIH K23** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA · 2022 · $145,626

## Abstract

DESCRIPTION: The prevalence of obesity and many obesogenic behaviors is higher among adults living in
rural compared to urban areas of the United States and likely contribute to multiple rural health disparities.
Interventions are needed to address these disparities, particularly for rural African American men who are
largely underrepresented in behavioral weight loss trials. In the rural South, where the proposed research will
be conducted, there is evidence that that men are less motivated than women to lose weight. Lower motivation
to lose weight may explain men’s lower participation rates in rural weight loss trials. Thus, we will develop a
behavioral weight loss intervention for rural African American men that incorporates motivational elements from
Self-Determination Theory, in addition to elements from Ecological Systems Theory and Social Cognitive
Theory. We hypothesize that our theoretically-based behavioral weight loss intervention will be effective in
attracting, retaining, and motivating rural African American men to engage in healthy weight loss behaviors.
The specific aims of the study are to (1) Conduct focus group interviews to understand barriers and facilitators
for developing a weight loss intervention that will attract, retain, motivate, and meet the needs of Southern rural
African American men for engaging in healthy weight loss behaviors; 2) Develop, evaluate, and refine a
behavioral weight loss intervention for Southern rural African American men; and 3) Conduct a pilot
randomized wait-list control trial to determine preliminary weight loss effects of the comprehensive behavioral
weight loss intervention for Southern rural African American men. The research and training proposed in this
K23 career development award will support the candidate’s long-term career goal of becoming an independent
nurse scientist with expertise in developing and testing behavioral interventions to reduce obesity for
vulnerable adults living in rural areas. In collaboration with his mentoring team of internationally-known experts
in behavior change, community-based research, and rural health, the candidate has developed a training plan
involving coursework, seminars, and mentored research experiences that are designed to address the
following career goals: 1) broaden his understanding of factors influencing rural and minority health disparities;
2) expand knowledge and skills in assessing dietary behaviors and physical activity; 3) develop expertise in the
design, conduct, and evaluation of behavioral weight loss trials; 4) enhance knowledge and skills in
biostatistical methods used in behavioral trials; and 5) increase scholarly productivity related to obesity in rural
areas. Upon completing the research and training activities proposed in this award, the candidate will be well
positioned to further develop and test novel interventions that address obesity for rural adults.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10370372
- **Project number:** 5K23MD013899-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Demetrius Abshire
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $145,626
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-05-13 → 2024-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10370372

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10370372, Developing a Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Body Weight for Obese African American Men Living in the Rural South (5K23MD013899-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-11 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10370372. Licensed CC0.

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