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The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing hospital nurses' dietary practices during their shifts. Semistructured interviews grounded in the Social Ecological Model focused on individual, interpersonal, organizational, and public policy factors affecting intake. Responses from 20 female nurses were qualitatively coded and categorized based on common themes. Four major themes emerged: occupational characteristics, hesitation to take breaks, influence of unhealthy food, and organizational and industry policies. Of note, nurses' perceived inability to take breaks was due to patient load, unpredictability of patient needs, reluctance to burden other nurses, a tendency to prioritize patient care over self-care, and the repercussions of working longer hours to complete work. Other influential factors included the presence of unhealthy food options, regulations restricting nurses' ability to eat and drink in the workplace, and the need for more staff. Multilevel interventions are necessary to ensure nurses take appropriate meal breaks and maintain satisfactory dietary habits.

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The objective of this study was to utilize social-psychological theories to explain obesity-risk-reduction behaviors. A questionnaire based on the health belief model and theory of planned behavior was administered to a convenience sample of 300 Chinese Americans in the New York metropolitan area. Psychosocial variables accounted for 40.4% of the variance of obesity-risk-reduction behaviors. Self-efficacy, behavioral intention, and perceived benefits emerged as most influential variables. Forty-eight percent of the variance of behavioral intention was accounted with self-efficacy predominating. Health professionals targeting Chinese Americans need to address self-efficacy, behavioral intention, and perceived benefits of adopting obesity-risk-reduction behaviors.

The obesity epidemic is a worldwide health epidemic. The purpose of this research is to ascertain obesity risk reduction behaviors and their psychosocial determinants in Chinese Americans. This study used a crosssectional survey design with a convenience sample of 203 participants in Los Angeles, compared with a New York sample (n=447) of individuals between 18 to 60. Obesity risk reduction behaviors were assessed and psychosocial constructs from the Theory of Planned Behavior and Health Belief Model were measured. T-test comparisons and multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine the psychosocial predictors of obesity risk reduction behavior. In the LA sample, regression analysis indicated that 38.7% of the variance in behavior was accounted by self-efficacy and attitude. Among NY participants, self-efficacy, intention, and attitude contributed to 47% of the variance of behavior. T-test comparisons indicated a higher frequency of healthy behaviors such as consuming nutritious snacks and the recommended daily servings of fruits and whole grains among LA participants. In contrast, the NY sample perceived greater barriers in performing obesity risk reduction behaviors such as the impact of the physical environment on food choices. Nutrition professionals designing interventions with Chinese Americans need to assess their efficacy, intentions, and attitudinal predispositions in performing obesity risk reduction behaviors. A greater emphasis should be placed on addressing barriers of healthy eating when working with Chinese Americans living in the New York metropolitan area.