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Examine the impact of programs led by community health workers on health and function in older adults with arthritis and other health conditions. We conducted a cluster-randomized trial of the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program (AFEP) enhanced with the '10 Keys'™ to Healthy Aging compared with the AFEP program at 54 sites in 462 participants (mean age 73 years, 88 % women, 80 % white). Trained Community health workers delivered the 10-week programs. Outcomes assessed after 6 months included physical performance [Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)], Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index, and preventive health behaviors. Both groups experienced improvements. Performance improved by 0.3 SPPB points in the AFEP/'10 Keys'™ group and 0.5 in AFEP alone; WOMAC scores declined by 3.0 and 3.9 points respectively. More participants had controlled hypertension at 6 months in both groups (60.1 % baseline to 76.7 % in AFEP/10 Keys and from 76.5 to 84.9 % in AFEP alone) and greater diabetes control (from 15.0 to 34.9 and 15.5 to 34.1 %, respectively). These community-based programs showed similar improvements in preventive health, mobility and arthritis outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Progression of coronary artery calcium (CAC) is associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and is reported to be greater in whites than blacks, Hispanics, and Chinese in the US. Our objective was to compare progression of CAC between Japanese Americans and whites., Methods: Population-based sample of 303 Japanese American men and 310 white men aged 40-49years, free of clinical cardiovascular disease at baseline, were examined for CAC at baseline (2004-2007) and follow-up (2008-2013). Progression of CAC was defined as change in coronary calcium scores (CCS) in participants with baseline CCS>0 and incident CAC in participants with baseline CCS=0. Multiple linear regression and relative risk regression were used to compare change in CCS scores and incident CAC between the two races, respectively., Results: Japanese American men had significantly greater annual change in CCS than white men (median [interquartile range]: 11.3 Agatston units [1.4, 24.9] vs 2.5 [-0.22, 14.5]) in the unadjusted analyses. After adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors and follow-up time, change in CCS (beta±CI) and incidence rate ratio of CAC was similar in Japanese American men and white men: -0.12 (-0.34, 0.15) and (0.87 [95% CI: 0.20, 3.9]), respectively., Conclusions: In contrast to previously reported greater progression of CAC in whites than other races, we found a similar progression of CAC in Japanese American men as white men. Our study identifies Japanese American men as a target group for prevention of CHD. Large prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings., (Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.)

Background: Self-monitoring for weight loss has traditionally been performed with paper diaries. Technologic advances could reduce the burden of self-monitoring and provide feedback to enhance adherence., Purpose: To determine if self-monitoring diet using a PDA only or the PDA with daily tailored feedback (PDA+feedback [FB]), was superior to using a paper diary on weight loss and maintenance., Design: The Self-Monitoring and Recording Using Technology (SMART) Trial was a 24-month randomized clinical trial; participants were randomly assigned to one of three self-monitoring groups., Setting/participants: From 2006 to 2008, a total of 210 overweight/obese adults (84.8% female, 78.1% white) were recruited from the community. Data were analyzed in 2011., Intervention: Participants received standard behavioral treatment for weight loss that included dietary and physical activity goals, encouraged the use of self-monitoring, and was delivered in group sessions., Main Outcome Measures: Percentage weight change at 24 months, adherence to self-monitoring over time., Results: Study retention was 85.6%. The mean percentage weight loss at 24 months was not different among groups (paper diary: -1.94%, 95% CI = -3.88, 0.01; PDA: -1.38%, 95% CI= -3.38, 0.62; PDA+FB: -2.32%, 95% CI= -4.29, -0.35); only the PDA+FB group (p=0.02) demonstrated a significant loss. For adherence to self-monitoring, there was a time-by-treatment group interaction between the combined PDA groups and the paper diary group (p=0.03) but no difference between PDA and PDA+FB groups (p=0.49). Across all groups, weight loss was greater for those who were adherent ≥60% versus <30% of the time (p<0.001)., Conclusions: PDA+FB use resulted in a small weight loss at 24 months; PDA use resulted in greater adherence to dietary self-monitoring over time. However, for sustained weight loss, adherence to self-monitoring is more important than the method used to self-monitor. A daily feedback message delivered remotely enhanced adherence and improved weight loss, which suggests that technology can play a role in improving weight loss., Trial Registration: This study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov NCT00277771., (Copyright © 2012 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)