The Development and Pilot Testing of an Evidence-Based Cardiovascular Disease Risk-Prevention Program to Promote Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Among African-American College Students - .

Objectives: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States. Among the risk factors for college students, obesity and physical inactivity are disproportionately high among African Americans (AAs), and while studies of the obesity epidemic have increased in recent years, few target AA college-aged students. This study developed and piloted an evidence-based, 15-week, 3-credit hour, CVD risk-prevention and intervention course, that used e-learning, web-based technologies, and a mobile application and compared its effects against a control course.

Rams Have Heart, a Mobile App Tracking Activity and Fruit and Vegetable Consumption to Support the Cardiovascular Health of College Students: Development and Usability Study.

Background: With the increasing use of mobile devices to access the internet and as the main computing system of apps, there is a growing market for mobile health apps to provide self-care advice. Their effectiveness with regard to diet and fitness tracking, for example, needs to be examined. The majority of American adults fail to meet daily recommendations for healthy behavior.

Perceived Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Health Behaviors in Black College Students.

For college students, the transition from adolescence to young adulthood can be a time of increased stress and negative health behaviors, such as poor diet and physical inactivity, that may lead to cardiovascular disease (CVD), the primary cause of death in the United States. Blacks are disproportionately prone to CVD. Perception of disease risk is a critical predictor of engagement in healthy lifestyle activities intended to reduce CVD development.

The Use of Text Messaging to Promote Physical Activity in African-American College Students: A Feasibility Study.

Background: African-American college students are less likely to meet recommended physical activity guidelines to promote health, and are at risk of overweight, obesity, and elevated blood pressure. Text messaging is an emerging international technology shown to engage college students, promote physical activity, and reduce health risks.

Purpose: To determine the feasibility of using text messaging to promote physical activity among African-American college students enrolled in a unique course focusing on lifestyle behaviors for a healthy heart.

Examining the Relationship between Mindfulness, Perceived Stress, and Blood Pressure in African-American College Students.

College students are prone to stress, making them vulnerable to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Harmful health behaviors, such as tobacco or alcohol use, further predispose students to hypertension (HTN). African-Americans (AA) experience increased blood pressure reactivity, and weathering, due to race-related stressors.