African American Churches as Venues for Dietary Interventions in the Mississippi Delta

Abstract

Churches play a central role in African American (AA) culture and are often the only organizational unit in remote rural communities of the Mississippi Delta. While the church environment provides social support and promotes self‐efficacy to facilitate dietary changes, investigators must be aware of social and environmental characteristics unique to AA churches in the region. While typically small congregation sizes and overrepresentation of older and middle aged females present problems for recruitment, the role of these women as heads of household and trusted information sources often gives them influence over their households and extended families, broadening diffusion of messages. At the same time, formal church leaders such as pastors and deacons are often male. Recruitment messages and intervention messages must recognize the gender specific nature of this bifurcation. Members also are often related to one another through extended families, complicating statistical assumptions of independence. Environmental challenges include a lack of adequate physical facilities to adhere to confidentiality requirements or conduct food preparation demonstrations. Some rural churches convene only biweekly and members may live distant from the church, making it difficult to schedule activities. Investigators must address these and other unsuspecting issues with creativity and flexibility.