Journal of Yoga & Physical Therapy
Open Access

Candace C Johnson

Biography

Research Interest

My research focus is on metabolic syndrome, a bio-behavioral symptom cluster known to precede cardiometabolic diseases including atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes. With a concentration on African-American women, the group at highest risk for mortality related to diseases of the metabolic syndrome, I am investigating the biological, environmental, and social determinants of this condition and exploring innovative ways to prevent disease and disease progression. I am also examining the mediators of behaviors (e.g., diet & physical activity) that reduce metabolic syndrome risk including self-management/self-regulation of behaviors, stress reduction, and family- and community-based social support. As a research fellow in the National Institute of Nursing Research, I explored the feasibility and acceptability of a novel intervention that combined the cardio-protective properties of yoga with the cultural relevance of West African cultural dance to determine if African-American women, a U.S. subpopulation with the highest rates of sedentary lifestyle, would be amenable to participating in more physical activity. Moving forward in my health promotion bio-behavioral research, I will be incorporating focus group and baseline data into a more comprehensive, community-based, lifestyle intervention.