Social determinants of sleep and obesity: Disparities in African Americans

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The proposed research aims to reduce obesity-related health disparities by promoting healthy lifestyle behav- iors among African Americans (AAs), given the high disease burdens associated with low physical activity, in- sufficient sleep, and obesity. To this end, the candidate will seek to understand how social contextual factors impact sleep by using qualitative interviews and an existing quantitative data sets (K99). Knowledge gained from the K99 phase will inform the adaptation and testing of an existing sleep intervention (MDACC IRB Proto- col #2018-0568) (R00). During the K99 phase, the candidate will receive focused and intensive training involv- ing workshops, courses, lectures, and directed readings from renowned experts in the fields of health dispari- ties, sleep medicine, and obesity. Two studies will include: (Aim 1) conducting qualitative in-depth interviews to elucidate social contextual influences on sleep, while soliciting feedback to adapt a sleep intervention among obese, sedentary, and short-sleeping AA adults; and (Aim 2) empirically testing the associations between so- cial contextual factors, sleep, physical activity, and body weight using data from an ongoing studies of AAs (Project FAITH; American Cancer Society, RSG-17-158-01; PI: Dr. McNeill, mentor). Lastly, during the R00 phase will compile the knowledge gained in the K99 phase to adapt a sleep intervention and test its feasibility, satisfaction, and preliminary efficacy in improving sleep, increasing physical activity, and decreasing sedentary behavior among overweight/obese, sedentary, and sleep-deprived AA adults (Aim 3). The candidate is uniquely positioned to complete the proposed research based on his past clinical experience in treating insom- nia and his research on sleep and obesity among AAs. The sleep intervention is a promising and innovative approach to optimizing psychological and physical wellness to reduce obesity and cancer-related health dis- parities – a research priority at the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. Furthermore, the proposed training plan will be critical in expediting the candidate’s transition to an independent investigator with focused expertise in developing culturally informed interventions to reduce cancer health disparities among AAs.