OPT for Health Lab

Redefining BMI: The Body, Mind, Inflammation (BMI) Project

This is a randomized clinical trial to test the preliminary efficacy of an integrated lifestyle intervention targeting proinflammatory behaviors and psychological function on adiposity and biomarkers of inflammation and cardiometabolic disease among emerging adult women, compared to a developmentally adapted behavioral obesity treatment program.

PI: Dr. Jessica LaRose

Collaborating investigators include: Dr. Autumn Lanoye, Dr. Anika Hines, Dr. Trey Wickham, Dr. Robert Perera

We are currently recruiting for this project! Visit our website to learn more: www.RedefiningBMI.com 

Wellness Engagement Petersburg

This study is grounded in a decade of community-based participatory research in partnership with residents and community partners in Petersburg, VA. As part of this NIDDK-funded trial, we are testing a grassroots, multilevel lifestyle intervention to reduce adiposity and promote cardiometabolic health for Petersburg residents. For more information, visit www.WEProjectPetersburg.com.

PIs: Dr. Jessica LaRose and Dr. Maghboeba Mosavel

Collaborators include: : Pathways, Inc. Dr. Robert Perera

AYA WELL

In this multi-site NCI-funded trial we are collaborating with an advisory board to develop and test a theory-based mHealth lifestyle intervention, specifically designed to meet the needs of adolescent and young adult cancer survivors (AYAs). We are actively recruiting participants! For more information visit join-ayawell.org.

PIs: Dr. Jessica LaRose and Dr. Carmina Valle

Collaborating investigators include: Dr. Autumn Lanoye, Dr. Arnethea Sutton, Dr. Andrew Smitherman, Dr. Deborah Tate, Dr. Erik Willis, Dr. Derek Hales

POWER

This study is being conducted as part of the VA-ACCERT Center, which aims to address the complex social drivers of health that impede cancer health equity in income-based communities. POWER will partner with residents of 12 income-based housing communities across Virginia to learn more about how their day-to-day context shapes their ability to pursue goals related to nutrition and physical activity. This will be accomplished through a mixed methods formative inquiry consisting of surveys, focus groups, photovoice, and environmental scans.

Findings will be used to adapt a multilevel intervention targeting nutrition quality and physical activity for residents of these same 12 housing communities. At the individual level, study participants will receive a digital evidence-based lifestyle intervention designed to help people meet their goals for healthy living in the context of financial constraints, food insecurity, and stress. At the community level, events such as cooking demonstrations, food tastings, and low-impact group exercise like walking clubs will be made available to all residents. In addition, each housing community will be able to choose two environmental changes provided by the study to support their goals–one to support access to nutritious food and one to support access to safe physical activity. At the organization level, training will be provided to Public Housing Authority (PHA) staff in communication, resource navigation, and partnering with residents to sustain environmental changes.

The intervention will be tested in the context of a randomized, hybrid type 2 trial design: primary dual effectiveness outcomes are diet quality and physical activity; co-primary implementation effectiveness will be evaluated using the RE-AIM Framework and its contextual enhancement, Practical, Robust, Implementation and Sustainability Model (PRISM). Overall, our goal is to create a program that is helpful and sustainable–becoming a free community resource and not just a research study. For more information, visit www.accertpowerproject.org.

Academic Lead: Dr. Jessica LaRose 
Community Lead: Janet Plent