Improvements in Psychosocial Factors among African Americans using an mHealth Lifestyle Intervention to Promote Cardiovascular Health: the FAITH! App Pilot Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jissy Cyriac ◽  
Sarah Jenkins ◽  
Christi A Patten ◽  
Sharonne N Hayes ◽  
Clarence Jones ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND African Americans (AAs) continue to have suboptimal cardiovascular health (CVH) related to diet and physical activity (PA) behaviors compared to Whites. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions are a novel platform to improve diet and PA and have the potential to mitigate these disparities. However, these are understudied and underutilized among AAs. OBJECTIVE To examine whether an mHealth lifestyle intervention is associated with improved diet and PA-related psychosocial factors in AAs and whether these changes correlate with changes in diet and PA behaviors. METHODS This study is a retrospective analysis evaluating changes in diet and PA-related psychosocial measures (diet and PA self-regulation, perceived barriers to healthy diet and PA) and behaviors (fruit/vegetable intake, PA) in 45 AA adults (mean age 48.7 [SD 12.9], 73% women) enrolled in the FAITH! App Pilot Study. The intervention is a 10-week, behavioral-theory informed, community-based mHealth lifestyle intervention delivered through a mobile application (app) platform (FAITH! App) that provided participants opportunities to engage with 10 core multimedia education modules focused on CVH, self-assessments of CVH knowledge, a sharing board for social networking, and self-monitoring of daily fruit/vegetable intake and PA. Changes in self-reported diet and PA-related psychosocial variables and behaviors were assessed by electronic surveys collected at baseline and 28-weeks post-intervention. Changes were analyzed in the overall cohort and explored within subgroups based on socio-demographics, baseline electronic health literacy (EHL), and app engagement. Statistical analysis of pre- and post-intervention changes within and between groups were performed via rank-based tests, and correlation of changes between fruit/vegetable intake and PA were assessed via Spearman correlation. RESULTS The overall sample reported decreases in perceived barriers to healthy diet (P<.0001) and improvements in components of diet self-regulation (i.e., fat/calorie intake [P=.01], nutrition tracking [P<.0001]). Improvements in diet self-regulation (increase fruit/vegetable intake, nutrition tracking) had moderate positive correlation to fruit/vegetable intake (r=0.46, r=0.34 respectively). A moderate negative correlation was seen between perceived barriers to healthy diet and fruit/vegetable intake (r=-0.25). Overall, increases in PA self-regulation were observed. No meaningful correlations were found between PA-related psychosocial factors and PA. Subgroup analyses showed improvements in diet and PA self-regulation, perceived barriers to healthy diet, and fruit/vegetable intake among women, those with employment, higher app engagement, and eHealth literacy (all P≤.01). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest key diet and PA-related psychosocial factors to potentially target in future mHealth lifestyle interventions aiming to achieve CVH equity in AAs. CLINICALTRIAL clinicaltrials.gov [NCT03084822]

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (s1) ◽  
pp. 53-53
Author(s):  
LaPrincess Brewer ◽  
Ashok Kumbamu ◽  
Christina Smith ◽  
Sarah Jenkins ◽  
Clarence Jones ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: To evaluate the FAITH! (Fostering African-American Improvement in Total Health) App mHealth lifestyle intervention by using post-intervention feedback obtained from participants in our intervention pilot study. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We used qualitative methods (focus groups) to elicit post-intervention feedback. Participants who completed the pilot study were recruited to one of two focus groups. Semi-structured focus groups were conducted to explore participants’ views on the app functionality, utility and satisfaction as well as its impact on healthy lifestyle change. Sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and qualitative data were analyzed by systematic text condensation thematic analysis. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Nine individuals participated (N = 4 and N = 5) in each of the two focus groups. Their mean age was 47.9 years (SD 12.1), 67% were women, and all had at least an education level of some college. Six overarching themes emerged from the data: (1) overall impression, (2) content usefulness (3) formatting, (4) implementation, (5) impact and (6) suggestions for improvement. Underpinning the themes was a high level of agreement that the intervention facilitated healthy behavioral change through cultural tailoring, multimedia education modules and social networking. Among the suggestions for improvement were streamlining of app self-monitoring features, personalization based on individual’s cardiovascular risk and attentiveness to nuanced cultural perspectives. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: This formative evaluation found the FAITH! App mHealth lifestyle intervention had high reported satisfaction and impact on the health-promoting behaviors of African-Americans, thereby improving their overall cardiovascular health. The findings provide further support for the acceptability of mHealth interventions among African-Americans. CONFLICT OF INTEREST DESCRIPTION: None.


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.


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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 1376-1378 ◽  
Author(s):  
LaPrincess C. Brewer ◽  
Sharonne N. Hayes ◽  
Sarah M. Jenkins ◽  
Kandace A. Lackore ◽  
Carmen Radecki Breitkopf ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ritu Sharma ◽  
Amy E. Latimer-Cheung ◽  
John Cairney ◽  
Kelly P. Arbour-Nicitopoulos

Background: Physical activity (PA) interventions are limited in number and reach for youth with physical disabilities (YPD) who experience systemic barriers that may preclude their in-person participation. Further, a lack of theory in the development and evaluation of PA interventions impedes our understanding and replication of active components of behavior change. These limitations pose challenges in the effective promotion of PA in YPD. Theory-based and more inclusive methods of PA intervention delivery must be explored in our efforts to promote PA and overall health in YPD.Methods: A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of an online, 4-week social cognitive theory-based PA intervention for YPD. Intervention feasibility (implementation fidelity, intervention compliance, and intervention acceptability) was evaluated through manual documentation, weekly feedback questionnaires, and open-ended feedback at 1-month post-intervention. Targeted social cognitive (outcome expectations, self-efficacy [task, self-regulatory, barrier] and self-regulation) and PA behavior outcomes were self-reported at baseline and 1-week and 1-month post-intervention.Results: Sixteen YPD (Mage = 17.4 ± 2.7 years, 69% female) completed the study. Intervention feasibility was supported by high implementation fidelity (100%), high intervention compliance (&gt;90%), and positive ratings on indicators of acceptability for all weeks of the intervention (weekly feedback questionnaire means ranging from 5.74 to 6.19 out of 7). Through open-ended feedback, participants indicated the intervention was easy to use and understand, favorably shifted their self-awareness and personal meaning of PA, and provided value and potential for future use pertaining to the learned self-regulation skills and strategies. Participants also provided formatting and content recommendations for intervention improvement. Repeated measures ANOVAs showed significant and large effect sizes for changes in participants' task (p = 0.01, n2p = 0.28) and barrier (p = 0.02, n2p = 0.24) self-efficacy, goal-setting and planning and scheduling behaviors (ps &lt; 0.001, n2ps = 0.42), and self-reported PA behavior (p = 0.02, n2p = 0.26).Conclusions: An online PA intervention for YPD is feasible and may offer potential benefit through the enhancement of self-efficacy, self-regulation, and PA behavior. Continued research is necessary to understand the efficacy and longer-term outcomes of online, theory-based interventions for YPD as a PA promotion strategy.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mukoso Ozieh ◽  
Leonard E. Egede

BACKGROUND Behavioral factors such as lifestyle have been shown to explain approximately 24% of the excess risk of chronic kidney disease among African Americans. OBJECTIVE The main objective of this study was to examine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a culturally tailored lifestyle intervention in African Americans with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS A pre-post design was used to test the feasibility of a lifestyle intervention in African American adults recruited from Medical University of South Carolina. Clinical outcomes (hemoglobin A1c, blood pressure and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)) were measured at baseline and post-intervention. Disease knowledge, self-care and behavior outcomes were also measured using validated structured questionnaires at baseline and post-intervention. Descriptive statistics and effect sizes were calculated to determine clinically important changes from baseline. RESULTS Significant pre-post mean differences and decreases were observed for HbA1c (mean 0.75, p=0.01), total cholesterol (mean 16.38, p<0.01), low density lipoprotein (mean 13.73, p<0.01) and eGFR (mean 6.73, p=0.02). Significant pre-post mean differences and increases were observed for CKD self-efficacy (mean -11.15, p=0.03), CKD knowledge (mean -2.62, p<0.01), exercise behavior (mean -1.21, p<0.01) and blood sugar testing (mean -2.15, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS This study provides preliminary data for a large-scale appropriately powered, randomized control trial to examine a culturally tailored lifestyle intervention in African Americans to improve clinical, knowledge and self-care behavior outcomes in this population.


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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. e31 ◽  
Author(s):  
LaPrincess C Brewer ◽  
Sarah Jenkins ◽  
Kandace Lackore ◽  
Jacqueline Johnson ◽  
Clarence Jones ◽  
...  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document