Family-based Approach to Promotion of Health - FAMILIA (Project 2)

Two Intensive Life Style Intervention Programs in Related Caregivers of Preschool Children Substantial strides have been made in the treatment of acute cardiovascular conditions, such as myocardial infarction and stroke, however, the global burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to rise at an alarming rate. Furthermore, despite the abundant data demonstrating a greater burden of CVD in racial/ethnic minorities, and many specific interventions aimed at changing risk factor patterns or behaviors in racial/ethnic minorities, health disparities persist. In the present study, the investigators seek to evaluate the impact of a multifaceted and comprehensive lifestyle intervention coupled with atherosclerosis imaging on reducing cardiovascular risk among minority adults living in Harlem, New York. The investigators believe that holistic, multi-dimensional individual and peer-to-peer intensive lifestyle interventions involving parents/caregivers of preschool children will be effective in producing favorable change in their behaviors, which will be sustained over time. The primary hypothesis of the study is that aggressive lifestyle interventions will be more effective in improving healthy behaviors and biological correlates in at-risk adult parents and/or caregivers of preschool children in Harlem, NY. In aim 1, as an initial pilot study, the investigators will identify the contextual factors, facilitators and barriers that may impact the implementation of a lifestyle intervention program for adults in Harlem, using qualitative research methods. In aim 2, the investigators will determine the impact of two intensive lifestyle interventions on promoting and improving healthy behaviors and biological parameters to lower cardiovascular risk, the impact of the knowledge of presence of atherosclerosis on health behaviors and the impact of these lifestyle interventions on atherosclerosis among approximately 600 asymptomatic at-risk adults. Finally, in aim 3, the investi