Black Girls for Wellness (BGW) is a 12-week intervention study for Black/African American adolescent girls (12-18 years) who are at risk for type 2 diabetes, and a female caregiver (e.g., mother, grandmother, aunt). Each week participants engage in a wellness session and culinary session (see details below).
Wellness Session (2 Hours)
Girl Chat (30 minutes): Meditation and group discussion on various topics relevant to Black girls and women.
Dance Class (60 minutes): Class highlighting dances from the African Diaspora.
Nutrition Lesson (20 minutes): Interactive nutrition lesson.
Closing (10 minutes): Complete a survey about weekly and receive groceries for culinary session.
Culinary Session (1 Hour)
Prepare an ethnic dish at home with your family using provided ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate? Adolescent girls (12-18 years) who identify as Black or African American and are at risk for type 2 diabetes according to a physician, as well as a female caregiver who lives in the same home.
Does a doctor have to refer me to BGW? Yes. We will recruit from clinics and the adolescent must be at risk for type 2 diabetes based on information provided by a physician.
How much does it cost to participate? This program is free.
When will the weekly wellness session be held? Saturday mornings for 2 hours (e.g., 10a-12p or 11a-1p).
What is an intervention study? Dr. Leak is studying whether the BGW program improves the health of the adolescent and their female caregiver. Before and after the 12-week program, participants will provide information so we can determine if BGW improves health (e.g., complete a survey, document what you eat and drink for 3 days, wear an accelerometer watch to track physical activity for 7 days, have height/weight measured, provide a blood sample). Participants will receive $50 before and after the 12-week program for providing this information (i.e., $100 for the adolescent total and $100 for the caregiver total).
What if I have additional questions? Dr. Leak can be reached at leakresearchgroup@cornell.edu.
