We have conducted a study among young adults (primarily African American) who are graduates of The Morgan State University in 2003 with the following specific aims:

1.To conduct a cross-sectional study, with a primary emphasis on overweight, obesity, and other weight-related factors
2.To follow-up individuals over time, in a prospective cohort study, to evaluate changes in weight and other factors

RESEARCH QUESTIONS  view questionnaire

Main Question:
This study will attempt to explore the following main research question among young African-American adults:

1.What factors are associated with overweight and obesity in this population and do these factors predict weight gain over time?

Secondary Questions:
This study population will provide unique data for a number of secondary research questions including:

1.What are the perceptions of health care providers and health care systems and how do these perceptions change with age and increased utilization of health services?
2.What are the drug and alcohol practices during college and do those practices change after exposure to the workforce environment

METHODS

Setting and Participants:
Participants will primarily consist of young (~age 22) African-American adults who are graduates of The Morgan State University in 2003.  The entire graduating class will be eligible to participate, regardless of obesity status.  It is estimated that between 800-950 undergraduate students will graduate in 2003.  A brief description of Morgan State University is located below:

Design:
Initially, a cross-sectional survey will be conducted as part of the exit interview (or other planned activity for seniors) for college graduates of Morgan State.  Participants will attend one clinic visit, where height, weight, blood pressure, and other clinical measures will be obtained.  Subsequently, participants will be followed-up over time (at 3-5 year intervals) to track weight and other factors of interest.  At this point, self-reported weight and height will be obtained and web-based methods will be employed to ensure that the survey is easily accessible for participants.

Measures:
Weight-Related Factors
•Trying to lose weight/doctor recommending losing weight
•Weight loss attempts
•Participation in weight loss programs
•Body Image (Stunkard scale)
•Pregnancy and pregnancy-related weight gain (in women)
•Diet patterns
•Exercise patterns
•Weight history
•Weight history of family

Demographic and Socioeconomic Status
•Parents/Guardians’ Educational Attainment
•Parents/Guardians’ Occupation
•Income (separate from their parents)/wealth
•Insurance Status
•Race/Ethnicity
     oCaribbean (British or French)
     oAfrican
     oLatino
     oBrazil
•College Major
•GPA
•Career Objectives
     oImmediate
     oFive Year From Now
•Marital Status
•Parental Status

Interaction with the Health Care System
•Health care utilization
•Perceptions of health care providers and the health care system
•Satisfaction with health care

Drug/Alcohol Use

Mental Health
•Depression (CES-D, Prime-MD, GHQ, SF-12/SF-36)
•Anxiety

Stress/Racism
•Perceived racism scale
•MRWG reactions to race module (CDC developed)

Clinical Measures
•Weight
•Height
•Waist/Hip
•Body fat
•Blood pressure

Health Status
•GHQ, SF-12/SF-36

SIGNIFICANCE

This study will provide unique data in this relatively unexplored population.  Exploring factors that may contribute to obesity and weight gain over time will help to develop interventions to reduce the excess burden of chronic disease in African Americans.