scholarly journals Associations of psychosocial factors with fruit and vegetable intake among African-Americans

2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 701-711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne L Watters ◽  
Jessie A Satia ◽  
Joseph A Galanko

AbstractObjectiveTo examine associations of various psychosocial factors with fruit and vegetable intake in African-American adults.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of a population-based sample of 658 African-Americans, aged 18–70 years, in North Carolina. Information was collected on diet-related psychosocial (predisposing, reinforcing and enabling) factors based on the PRECEDE (Predisposing, Reinforcing, and Enabling Constructs in Educational Diagnosis and Evaluation) planning framework; demographic, lifestyle and behavioural characteristics, and fruit and vegetable intake.ResultsThe mean participant age was 43.9 years (standard deviation 11.6), 57% were female and 76% were overweight/obese. Participants expressed healthy beliefs regarding many of, but not all, the psychosocial factors. For example, although half of the respondents believed it is important to eat a diet high in fruits/vegetables, only 26% knew that ≥ 5 daily servings are recommended. The strongest associations of the psychosocial factors with fruit/vegetable intake were for predisposing factors (e.g. belief in the importance of a high fruit/vegetable diet and knowledge of fruit/vegetable recommendations) and one reinforcing factor (social support), with differences between the healthiest and least healthy responses of 0.5–1.0 servings per day. There was evidence of effect modification by gender in associations between psychosocial factors and fruit/vegetable consumption (e.g. self-efficacy was only significant in women), with higher intakes and generally healthier responses to the psychosocial variables in women than men.ConclusionsInterventions to increase fruit/vegetable intake in African-Americans may be more effective if they focus primarily on predisposing factors, such as knowledge, self-efficacy and attitudes, but not to the exclusion of reinforcing and enabling factors. The psychosocial factors that are targeted may also need to be somewhat different for African-American men and women.

2021 ◽  
pp. 109019812110119
Author(s):  
Terri-Ann Kelly ◽  
Soojong Kim ◽  
Loretta S. Jemmott ◽  
Larry D. Icard ◽  
Deepti Chittamuru ◽  
...  

Epidemiological evidence of the protective role of fruits and vegetables for a host of chronic health conditions is well-documented. However, there is a dearth of studies examining predictors of fruit and vegetable intake among African American men living with HIV. We report secondary analyses—multiple regression and logistic regression models fitted to examine the strength of the relationships between the reasoned action approach constructs; namely, attitudes, subjective norms, descriptive norms, self-efficacy and intention to consume fruits and vegetables, and self-reported adherence to 5-A-DAY guidelines. We used baseline data from a randomized controlled trial of a physical activity intervention trial with 302 African American men aged 40 years or older ( M = 53.9; SD = 7.2) living with HIV. Attitudes, subjective norms, descriptive norms, and self-efficacy were positively associated with intention to meet 5-A-DAY guidelines. More positive attitudes toward 5-A-DAY guidelines were associated with higher odds of meeting 5-A-DAY guidelines. More positive attitudes and self-efficacy were also positively associated with meeting the guidelines for intake of vegetable servings and fruit-and-vegetable servings combined. To increase fruit and vegetable intake among African American men living with HIV, interventions should be tailored to address the perceived benefits of consumption.


2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Miranda TASSITANO ◽  
Clarice Maria de Lucena MARTINS ◽  
Poliana Coelho CABRAL ◽  
Jorge MOTA ◽  
Maria Cecíla Marinho TENÓRIO ◽  
...  

Objective: To analyze whether psychosocial factors and physical activity are predictors of fruit and vegetable intake in young adults attending college. Methods: This cross-sectional study included a representative sample of students from a public university in the Brazilian Northeast (n=717). Fruit and vegetable intake was measured by a Food Frequency Questionnaire containing 21 items. The psychosocial factors for behavior change, measured by a questionnaire, were: behavior change strategy, self-efficacy, perceived barriers and facilitators in decision making, and social support. The level of physical activity was measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Multiple linear regression was the intake prediction model using a significance level of 5% (p<0.05). Results: The median fruit and vegetable intake was 2.0 servings/day. In adjusted analysis, behavior change strategy (R²=0.31), self-efficacy (R²=0.03), friends' support (R²=0.02), and physical activity (R²=0.03) explained 39% of the fruit and vegetable intake variance in men. Behavior change strategy (R²=0.03), self-efficacy (R²=0.13), perceived barriers (R²=0.08), and physical activity (R²=0.02) explained 26% of the fruit and vegetable intake variance in women. Fruit and vegetable intake would increase by one serving for every extra 35 and 47 minutes of physical activity men and women, respectively, practice a day. Conclusion: The main predictors of fruit and vegetable intake are behavior change strategies, self-efficacy, and physical activity.


2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1024-1031 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Annesi

Background:Behavioral interventions for weight-loss have been largely unsuccessful. Exercise is the strongest predictor of maintained weight loss and much of its effects may be from associated changes in psychosocial factors.Methods:Middle-aged, formerly sedentary adults with severe obesity were randomly selected to 6-month treatments of cognitive-behavioral exercise support paired with either standard nutrition education (n = 99) or nutrition change supported by cognitive-behavioral means with an emphasis on self-regulation (n = 101).Results:Overall improvements in self-efficacy and self-regulation for both exercise and managed eating, and mood, were found, with significantly greater improvements associated with the cognitive-behavioral nutrition condition in self-regulation for eating and mood. Change scores trended toward being stronger predictors of increased exercise and fruit and vegetable intake than scores at treatment end. Multiple regression analyses indicated that significant portions of the variance in both increased volume of exercise (R2 = 0.45) and fruit and vegetable intake (R2 = 0.21) were explained by changes in self-regulatory skill usage, self-efficacy, and mood.Conclusions:Cognitive-behavioral methods for improved eating paired with behavioral support of exercise may improve weight loss through effects on the psychosocial factors of self-regulation, self-efficacy, and overall mood more than when standard nutrition education is incorporated.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 209-213
Author(s):  
Grace Nassim ◽  
Michelle Redmond ◽  
Samuel Ofei-Dodoo ◽  
Mary Benton ◽  
Kelsey Lu

Introduction. Nutrition is the key contributor to disparities in many chronic diseases. However, little is known about the dietary habits and nutrition self-efficacy beliefs of older African American women with chronic diseases. This study looked at the relationship between nutrition self-efficacy and dietary patterns among older African American women. Methods. A total of 115 African American women 55 years and older, with one or more chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, were recruited from a midwestern city in Kansas. Participants completed a survey comprised of dietary intake items and the Physical Activity and Nutrition Self-Efficacy (PANSE) scale. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation, and Wilcoxon rank sum test (Mann-Whitney U Test). Results. There was a 79% (91/115) participation rate. Participants were confident in their ability to maintain healthy behaviors (57.67/72; SD = 11.22). The mean dietary score for fats and carbohydrate consumption was 32.67 ± 2.48 compared to 5.89 ± 3.52 for fruit and vegetable intake. A significant positive correlation was observed between fruit and vegetable intake and nutrition self-efficacy. A higher fruit and vegetable intake were observed among married women (mean = 7.35; SD = 4.45). Conclusion. Our findings shed new light on older African American women’s perceptions of healthy eating and the confidence to eat heathy. Based on these results, older African American women met the daily fruit and vegetable recommendations; however, more work is needed to understand how to intervene to improve dietary behaviors regarding fat and carbohydrate consumption in this population. While more research is needed, the findings indicated behavioral theories such as nutrition self-efficacy may have utility in tailoring nutrition interventions in an older African American population.


2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandria G. Bauer ◽  
Jannette Berkley-Patton ◽  
Kym Bennett ◽  
Delwyn Catley ◽  
Carole Bowe-Thompson ◽  
...  

Diabetes and heart disease disproportionately burden African Americans, who tend to have worse nutritional intake than Whites. Many Black churches are influential institutions in the Black community, with potential to assist with promotion of healthy eating behaviors. The purpose of the current study was to use the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to examine intention to eat a healthy diet and dietary behaviors among church-affiliated African Americans. It was hypothesized that TPB constructs would positively predict intention to eat a healthy diet and that intention to eat a healthy diet would be a predictor of fat and fruit and vegetable intake. It was also hypothesized that control beliefs would predict reduced fat intake and increased fruit and vegetable intake. Path analyses indicated behavioral, normative, and control beliefs were predictive of intention to eat a healthy diet. Intention to eat healthy was a significant predictor of dietary intake behaviors. These findings provide support for the use of the TPB in examining diet among church-affiliated African Americans. This study represents an opportunity to inform dietary interventions for the African American faith community.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid Richards Adams ◽  
Wilson Figueroa ◽  
Irene Hatsu ◽  
James Odei ◽  
Mercedes Sotos-Prieto ◽  
...  

A healthy diet is associated with lower risk of chronic disease. African Americans generally have poor diet quality and experience a higher burden of many chronic diseases. We examined the associations of demographic and psychosocial factors and barriers to diet quality among African American adults. This cross-sectional study included 100 African American adults in a southeastern metropolitan area. Psychosocial factors (social support, self-efficacy), and barriers to healthy eating were assessed with validated measures. Diet quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2010). Nested linear regressions were used to examine the association between the variables of interest and HEI scores. Participants reported having social support (M (mean) = 2.0, SD (standard deviation) = 0.6, range 0–3), high levels of self-efficacy (M = 3.1, SD = 0.7, range 1–4), and low barriers (M = 1.4, SD = 0.6, range 0–4) to engage in healthy eating but total mean HEI scores needed improvement (M = 54.8, SD = 10.9, range 27.1–70.0). Participants consumed significantly higher empty calories and lower whole fruits, dairy, and total protein foods than the national average. Barriers to healthy eating (b = −12.13, p = 0.01) and the interaction between age and barriers (b = 0.25, p = 0.02) were most strongly associated with lower HEI scores. Younger African Americans with the highest barriers to healthy eating had the lowest HEI scores. Culturally appropriate interventions targeting empty calories, barriers to healthy eating, and knowledge of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans are needed for African Americans.


1995 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 352-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy F. Subar ◽  
Jerianne Heimendinger ◽  
Blossom H. Patterson ◽  
Susan M. Krebs-Smith ◽  
Elizabeth Pivonka ◽  
...  

Purpose. The purpose of the Five A Day Baseline Survey was to assess fruit and vegetable intake and associated factors among US adults. Design. Questionnaires querying frequency of intake of 33 fruits and vegetables, as well as demographics, attitudes, and knowledge related to fruits and vegetables were administered by telephone. Setting. The study was a nationally representative random digit dial survey conducted by telephone in the summer of 1991; response rate was 42.8%. Subjects. Respondents were 2811 US adults (including an oversample of African-Americans and Hispanics). Measures. Mean and median self-reported intakes of fruits and vegetables were calculated. Estimated servings per week were adjusted on the basis of responses to summary questions regarding overall fruit and vegetable intakes. Results. Median intake of fruits and vegetables was 3.4 servings per day. Linear regressions (accounting for no more than 10% of the variation) showed that education, income, and smoking status were predictors of fruit and vegetable intake and that intake increased with education, income, and nonsmoking status. Women had higher intakes than men at all ages; these differences between men and women increased with age. Fruit and vegetable intakes increased with age for whites and Hispanics, but not for African-Americans. Conclusions. Fruit and vegetable intake among adults in the United States is lower than the recommended minimum of five daily servings. These data will be useful in targeting campaign efforts and in assessing progress of the Five A Day for Better Health Program.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 139
Author(s):  
Da-Hong Wang ◽  
Michiko Kogashiwa ◽  
Naoko Mori ◽  
Shikibu Yamashita ◽  
Wakako Fujii ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE: Thhis study aimed to investigate the reason why people choose to consume less vegetable and fruit through examining how the stage of change and psycho-social parameters relate to vegetable and fruit intake. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study in 4 regions of Japan in which 2308 individuals (1012 men and 1296 women) aged 18 years or older who completed the questionnaires were included in the study. RESULTS: The results showed 56% of the participants were in the precontemplation stage (not thinking about consuming recommended amount of fruit and vegetable) and their average amounts of vegetable and fruit intake were far below the level of current recommendations, and subjects in the precontemplation stage showed lower scores of attitude and self efficacy. Men were more likely to be in precontemplation (67.7%) and less likely to be in action/maintenance stage (7.9%) than women (46.9%, 12.1%, respectively) (p &lt; 0.001). We also observed the scores of attitude (p = 0.06) and self-efficacy (p &lt; 0.01) rose as the stage went up from the precontemplation to action/maintenance for increasing vegetable and fruit intake. Moreover, a linear trend was found toward higher vegetable (p &lt; 0.05) and fruit (p = 0.121) intake from precontemplation to action/maintenance stage. CONCLUSION: The present evidence suggests more attention should be focused on strategy for perceptions of personal need for recommended amount of vegetable and fruit intake for those who are in the precontemplation stage. Moreover, effective programs on enhancement of self-efficacy and attitude toward vegetable and fruit consumption are needed for increasing the vegetable and fruit intake.


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