LUBBOCK, Texas — United Supermarkets is teaming up with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center on a project that aims to address the most preventable sources of cancer: obesity, tobacco use and sunburn, in the rural community of Muleshoe, Texas.
The public-private partnership is funded by the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas. It runs through February 2013.
The goal of the project is to substantially prevent cancer and cancer recurrences in Muleshoe. If successful, an intervention program that can be replicated in other communities will be created.
Randomly selected project participants will be evaluated through repeated measurements of body mass index and blood pressure levels, combined with an analysis of the participants three-day food records, supermarket sales records, and survey data assessing health status and cancer-preventing behaviors. Behavior changes in the type and frequency of sunburn prevention practices and tobacco product usage will also be monitored.
Through collaboration with United, participants will be exposed to cancer prevention educational materials emphasizing nutrient rich, cancer-preventing foods. Additionally, food demos and consumer education classes that focus on cancer risk factors, cancer prevention, and the importance of appropriate preventive actions will be conducted at United locations and other venues.
“United Supermarkets is very excited to be part of this important research study. We strive to make a positive impact on our guests’ lives every day and, through this partnership with the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, we will be actively working to reduce cancer risks and change behaviors in our very own community,” said Tyra M. Carter, corporate dietitian for United Supermarkets, in a statement.
