Study of the Week: Beauty Salon Health Intervention Increases Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Black Women
hi there
This week, the Journal of the American Dietetic Association published a study that aimed to determine the effectiveness of a 6-week beauty salon-based health intervention, Steps for New You, in improving, physical activity, and water consumption behaviors in Black woman.
The reasoning: African Americans, especially women, have low fruit and vegetable consumption, which is related to higher rates of obesity, morbidity, and mortality in comparison to whites. Community-based approaches are recommended to address this problem, including beauty salons, which are conducive environments for health information dissemination.
The intervention included scripted motivational sessions between the cosmetologist and clients, information packets, and a starter kit of sample items. Data were collected using pre- and posttest questionnaires.
The results: The mean intake of fruit and vegetables was significantly higher for those who were in the intervention group, compared to those who were not. These findings suggest that the intervention may have had a positive effect on fruit and vegetable consumption by treatment group participants. However, further work is needed to refine the methodology, especially strengthening the intervention to increase physical activity and water consumption.
Interesting. Whatever works. Would you be receptive to people pushing you to increase your fruit and veggie consumption while getting your hair done?
June 3rd, 2010 at 12:12 am
Not literally pushing fruits and veggies on me, but I do think the salon is a great place for information share. I’d go out on a limb and say that the average salon visit to a Black salon is about 2 hours (more if we’re talking weaves, extensions, flat twists, etc). That’s enough time to take in a movie, go on a boat ride around Manhattan or take a 4 mile walk around your neighborhood. What I’m trying to say is that it’s a great place to educate given the fact that women go there every other week and often have nothing to do besides flip through a magazine and gossip. No reason why you can’t learn something new while maintaining your sexy. Great post!