Table 1. Application of Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) Principles 1 in The WORD.

CBPR Principle	Application of CBPR Principles in The WORD
The community is the unit of identity	The African American faith community in the Delta is the unit of identity and is engaged as a partner
The strengths and resources within the community are built upon	The social networks within the faith community and particular cultural beliefs will be engaged and built upon through the training of lay health advisors (WORD Leaders) to deliver the intervention, the incorporation of cultural beliefs in intervention materials, and community investigators leading recruitment efforts
There are collaborative, equitable partnerships in all phases of the research	A community subcontract with a community PI is present to promote equal power sharing; the issue of obesity was initially identified by the community through a prior survey of churches; community investigators meet regularly with academic investigators for all project-related decisions
Co-learning and capacity building is promoted among all partners	Academic partners received formal training in community-based participatory research; community partners received training in research methodology; regular team meetings facilitate co-learning of research principles and community values
The balance between research and action is integrated and achieved	The research question of whether a weight loss maintenance intervention is efficacious is balanced with the action to combat obesity in rural African American faith communities
An ecological model of health and local relevance of public health problems are emphasized	The issue of obesity was identified by the community as a relevant local public health problem in a previous survey of Delta churches
Systems development is involved through a cyclical and iterative process	Both academic and community partners took part in a CBPR workshop to strengthen the partnership; regular team meetings where both community and academic partners participate to make project-related decisions facilitates systems development
Findings and knowledge gained are disseminated to all partners and all partners are involved in the data dissemination process	Cost and outcome data will be disseminated through community forums, community brochures/flyers, scientific manuscripts, and scientific conferences
There is long-term process and commitment	The academic and community PIs have been working together on federally-funded community-based public health research for over 9 years

¹Israel B, Schultz AJ, Parker EA, Becker AB, Allen AJ, Guzman JR. Critical Issues in Developing and Following Community Based Participatory Research Principles. In: Minkler M, Wallerstein N, editors. Community-Based Participatory Research for Health. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass; 2003, p. 53-76.