Premium
Self‐efficacy for healthy eating of Hispanics participating in a lifestyle intervention (806.3)
Author(s) -
DuarteGardea Maria,
Burgos Ximena,
Balcazar Hector,
Braham Sandra
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.28.1_supplement.806.3
Subject(s) - medicine , overweight , intervention (counseling) , anthropometry , psychological intervention , body mass index , gerontology , physical therapy , population , self efficacy , healthy eating , likert scale , demography , physical activity , environmental health , psychology , nursing , developmental psychology , sociology , psychotherapist
The increasing epidemic of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in US requires effective interventions to reduce its multiple risk factors. Our study focuses on an intervention for Hispanics, a population of high prevalence for CVD and the largest minority group in US since 2009. OBJECTIVE: To asses self‐efficacy to eat healthier of participants engaging in an intervention led by Community Health Workers (CHW). The intervention is part of a CBPR named HEART that uses an ecological approach to demonstrate the efficacy of CHW at reducing CVD risk in Hispanics. METHODS: 421 low‐income Hispanics ages 46 ± 12 years engaged in a 16‐week culturally appropriate intervention consisting of a menu of nutrition and physical activities led by CHW at partner agencies. Demographic and anthropometric measures and self‐efficacy using a Likert scale were recorded at baseline and four months after the intervention. General linear mixed model analysis for repeated measures was conducted to test for time effect. RESULTS: 85% of participants were female and overweight or obese. Differences in average scores between baseline and follow up indicate that the intervention was effective at increasing self‐efficacy for healthy eating across six domains (e.g., can prepare with less salt, can cook using less fat) and at engaging in physical activity of 30 min 3 times per week (× = 8.41 ± 1.54 vs x = 9.1 ± 1.12: p = .0000). The mean difference in body mass index was also significantly different after the intervention (× = 31.3 ± 6.47 vs × = 30.7 ± 6.78: p = .0000). CONCLUSION: A culturally appropriate intervention led by CHW appears to be a promising approach for low‐income Hispanics to positively impact self‐efficacy for heart healthy eating and for reducing overweight and obesity, a risk factor for CVD. Grant Funding Source : National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities