Faculty mentor/PI email address
glasofer@rowan.edu
Keywords
cardiovascular, metabolic, outcomes, women, socioeconomic, disadvantages
IRB or IACUC Protocol Number
25090
Date of Presentation
5-6-2026 12:00 AM
Poster Abstract
WISEWOMAN is a 3-year federally funded program offered through Virtua Health to address lifestyle changes in women age 35-64 at risk for heart disease. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the additional of a fitness program to the standard nutrition program offered through Virtua Health’s WISEWOMAN program. Nutrition programming occurred during years 1 and 2 of the WISEWOMAN program, and fitness programming was offered to women in program year 3. Women who received nutrition + exercise (intervention) will have improved outcomes compared to those who receive nutrition programming only (control). We conducted a retrospective chart review to compare demographic characteristics and metabolic outcomes between women who participated in the intervention program to those in the control. There were 34 women in the control group and six in the intervention group. Overall, few participants in either group experienced clinically significant changes in metabolic outcomes. Differences in metabolic outcomes between groups were minimal. Participants in the intervention group experienced clinically significant improvements in fitness.This study highlights the challenges in impacting metabolic outcomes and engaging at risk women in lifestyle changes. Further research is needed to determine if improvements in fitness are sufficient to decrease cardiovascular risk.
Disciplines
Cardiovascular Diseases | Medicine and Health Sciences | Women's Health
Included in
Determining the Impact Fitness Training has on Cardiovascular Health Program for New Jersey Women with Socioeconomic Disadvantages
WISEWOMAN is a 3-year federally funded program offered through Virtua Health to address lifestyle changes in women age 35-64 at risk for heart disease. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the additional of a fitness program to the standard nutrition program offered through Virtua Health’s WISEWOMAN program. Nutrition programming occurred during years 1 and 2 of the WISEWOMAN program, and fitness programming was offered to women in program year 3. Women who received nutrition + exercise (intervention) will have improved outcomes compared to those who receive nutrition programming only (control). We conducted a retrospective chart review to compare demographic characteristics and metabolic outcomes between women who participated in the intervention program to those in the control. There were 34 women in the control group and six in the intervention group. Overall, few participants in either group experienced clinically significant changes in metabolic outcomes. Differences in metabolic outcomes between groups were minimal. Participants in the intervention group experienced clinically significant improvements in fitness.This study highlights the challenges in impacting metabolic outcomes and engaging at risk women in lifestyle changes. Further research is needed to determine if improvements in fitness are sufficient to decrease cardiovascular risk.