# Project-3 Tailored behavioral intervention for overweight African Americans and Latino men

> **NIH NIH U54** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2020 · $124,091

## Abstract

Project 3- Abstract/Summary 
Modest weight-loss has been found to have beneficial effects on obesity, lipid profiles and diabetes risk, yet no 
community-based intervention has produced significant improvements in diabetes risk, weight loss, eating 
practices or physical activity in African American or Latino men. While the rates of obesity among women have 
plateaued, the rates for men, particularly African American and Latino men are increasing. We propose to 
conduct an individually-tailored, community-based weight-loss intervention for obese African American and 
Latino men ages 40-59. This pilot study - which is the first rigorously designed, community-based weight-loss 
intervention for these demographics of men - will compare the efficacy of the intervention to an attention 
control group in a 6-month randomized-controlled trial. The proposed intervention includes (a) tailored goals/ 
messages (via web and text), (b) self-monitoring (via wearable device and text), (c) small group training and 
education and (d) educational and community-based information and resources (via text). The study also 
includes the first health communications gender-tailored on deeper social and cultural aspects of masculinity 
that recognizes the heterogeneity among African American and Latino men. The study also will explore if there 
is a positive correlation between genetically predicted BMI and BMI measured at baseline. We hypothesize 
that men assigned to the pilot intervention will lose more weight and demonstrate and maintain greater 
improvements in blood glucose levels, adiposity, healthy eating, physical activity, and psychosocial mediators 
(e.g., self-efficacy, social support, motivation) than those randomized to the attention control group

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9921227
- **Project number:** 5U54MD010722-05
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Derek M Griffith
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $124,091
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9921227

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9921227, Project-3 Tailored behavioral intervention for overweight African Americans and Latino men (5U54MD010722-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-14 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9921227. Licensed CC0.

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