Abstract
We investigated class clustering patterns of four behaviors—physical activity, fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake, smoking, and alcohol use—in a faith-based African American cohort. Guided by socio-ecological models, we also examined the psychosocial and neighborhood social environmental factors associated with the clustering patterns. Participants were 1,467 African American adults recruited from a mega church in the metropolitan Houston, TX, in 2008-2009. They completed a survey and health assessment. Latent class analysis and multinomial regression analysis were conducted. Results supported a three-class model: Class 1 was characterized by low physical activity, low F&V intake, and low substance use (smoking and alcohol use). Class 2 was characterized by high physical activity, low F&V intake, and mild drinking. Class 3 seemed to be the healthiest group, characterized by high physical activity, moderate-to-high F&V intake, and low substance use. The probabilities of being included in Classes 1, 2, and 3 were.33,.48, and.19, respectively. Participants in Class 1 (vs. Class 3) reported lower physical activity norm (p <.001) and higher smoking norm (p =.002) and lower neighborhood social cohesion (p =.031). Participants in Class 2 (vs. Class 3) reported higher cancer risk perception (p <.001), lower F&V norm (p =.022), lower physical activity norm (p <.001), higher smoking norm (p <.001), and lower social cohesion (p =.047). As health behaviors are clustered together, future interventions for African Americans may consider targeting multiple health behaviors instead of targeting a single health behavior. Interventions addressing social norm and neighborhood social cohesion may enhance multiple health behaviors engagement in this population.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 506-516 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Health Education and Behavior |
Volume | 46 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 1 2019 |
Keywords
- African American
- church
- health disparities
- multiple health behaviors
- multiple risk factors
- socio-ecological models
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
MD Anderson CCSG core facilities
- Biostatistics Resource Group