Weight loss study from ODU and NSU seeking volunteers

Good Afternoon,

We would like to invite members of the community to participate in our Exercise Research Study. This study is designed to examine how exercise affects African American women living with Type 2 diabetes, with the goal of better understanding how structured physical activity can improve blood sugar control, weight management, cardiovascular health, and overall fitness.

Study Overview

Participation will last 24 weeks (approximately 6 months). Study activities include physical exams, supervised exercise training, fitness testing, and questionnaires.

Study Locations

• Exercise training sessions will take place at Norfolk State University
• Clinical visits will occur at the Strelitz Diabetes Center at Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University

Who May Be Eligible

You may qualify if you:

• Identify as an African American woman
• Are between 18 and 70 years of age
• Have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes
• Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 30 and 48 kg/m²
• Engage in 60 minutes or less of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week
• Have HbA1c levels ≤ 6.4% or between 7–10%
• Have been on stable diabetes medication for at least 6 weeks

Who May Not Be Eligible

You may not qualify if you:

• Currently participate in regular exercise training or a weight-loss program
• Have Type 1 diabetes
• Use insulin, sulfonylureas, or GLP-1 medications
• Have uncontrolled high blood pressure (≥180/100)
• Take medications that significantly affect heart rate (e.g., beta blockers)
• Have serious health conditions such as kidney failure requiring dialysis, recent heart attack or stroke, serious heart rhythm disorders, severe lung disease, or certain autoimmune diseases
• Had bariatric surgery within the past year or major surgery within the last 90 days
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Plan to relocate outside of the Southside Hampton Roads area within the next 12 months

Purpose of the Study

The goal of this research is to understand how structured exercise programs can improve health outcomes for African American women with Type 2 diabetes. Findings may help inform more effective, community-focused exercise programs in the future.

Participation is completely voluntary. Participants will receive health monitoring and supervised exercise throughout the program.

If you are interested in learning more or would like to find out if you qualify, please contact our research team at 757-446-8485 or socasiog@odu.edu.

Thank you for considering participation in this important research.

Sincerely,

Shayreen Ocasio

Health Educator-Research Associate

EVMS Strelitz Diabetes Center

Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University

855 W Brambleton Ave, Norfolk VA 23510

TEL: 757-446-8485 | FAX: 757-446-5868