Social Support and Dietary Quality in Older African American Public Housing Residents

Ralston, Penny A.; Cohen, Nancy L.; Wickrama, K. A. Thulitha; Kwag, Kyunghwa

doi:10.1177/0164027511410548

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…Following the theory of planned behavior, our analyses also included demographic and contextual variables that existing research has shown to be related to fruit and vegetable behaviors. We were particularly interested in the inclusion of domain-specific social support (i.e., social support related to fruit and vegetable consumption) within the model because previous studies have shown this to be a key determinant of African Americans' dietary quality (Ralston et al, 2011;Thrasher et al, 2004). However, after controlling for the determinants of fruit and vegetable behavior included in the theory of planned behavior, social support was not associated with fruit and vegetable behavior and only marginally associated with fruit and vegetable intentions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For instance, demographic variables, such as age, gender, education, and general health status, are also important variables to consider. In addition to demographic variables, existing research has shown social support to be a key determinant of African Americans' initiation and maintenance of health behaviors (Ralston, Cohen, Wickrama, & Kwag, 2011;Thrasher, Campbell, & Oates, 2004) and adults' fruit and vegetable intake (Shaikh, Yaroch, Nebeling, Yeh, & Resnicow, 2008). Social support may contribute to the consumption of a healthy diet by increasing motivation and providing encouragement and the necessary instrumental support to purchase, prepare, cook, and eat healthy foods.…”

Section: Social Support and Demographic Variablesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Eating Behaviors of Older African Americans: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

O’Neal¹,

Wickrama²,

Ralston³

et al. 2012

The Gerontologist

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Results indicated that the theory of planned behavior can be used to explain variation in older African Americans' eating behavior. This study also emphasizes the value of considering broader behavioral domains when employing the theory of planned behavior rather than focusing on specific behaviors. Furthermore, social service programs aimed at reducing the incidence of diseases commonly associated with poor eating behaviors among older African Americans must consider promoting not only fruit and vegetable consumption but also related behaviors including preparing and self-monitoring by eliminating structural, cognitive, and normative constraints.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Social Support and Demographic Variablesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eating Behaviors of Older African Americans: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

O’Neal¹,

Wickrama²,

Ralston³

et al. 2012

The Gerontologist

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“…Psychosocial factors such as life satisfaction and social support have been shown to be linked to food choice related to fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity, with African Americans with higher life satisfaction and higher levels of social support more likely to consume fruits and vegetables [43,44] and participate in physical activity [45,46]. Age influences food choice and overall health behaviors due to changes in health status and physical functioning as one ages [47–50].…”

Section: Theoretical Perspectives and Review Of Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

Reducing cardiovascular disease risk in mid-life and older African Americans: A church-based longitudinal intervention project at baseline

Ralston

Lemacks

Wickrama

et al. 2014

Contemporary Clinical Trials

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Introduction African Americans (AAs) experience higher age-adjusted morbidity and mortality than Whites for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Church-based health programs can reduce risk factors for CVD, including elevated blood pressure [BP], excess body weight, sedentary lifestyle and diet. Yet few studies have incorporated older adults and longitudinal designs. Purposes The aims of this study are to: a) describe a theory-driven longitudinal intervention study to reduce CVD risk in mid-life and older AAs; b) compare selected dietary (fruit and vegetable servings/day, fat consumption), physical activity (PA) and clinical variables (BMI, girth circumferences, systolic and diastolic BP, LDL, HDL, total cholesterol [CHOL] and HDL/CHOL) between treatment and comparison churches at baseline; c) identify selected background characteristics (life satisfaction, social support, age, gender, educational level, marital status, living arrangement and medication use) at baseline that may confound results; and d) share the lessons learned. Methods This study incorporated a longitudinal pre/post with comparison group quasi-experimental design. Community-based participatory research (CBPR) was used to discover ideas for the study, identify community advisors, recruit churches (three treatment, three comparison) in two-counties in North Florida, and randomly select 221 mid-life and older AAs (45+) (n = 104 in clinical subsample), stratifying for age and gender. Data were collected through self-report questionnaires and clinical assessments. Results and conclusions Dietary, PA and clinical results were similar to the literature. Treatment and comparison groups were similar in background characteristics and health behaviors but differed in selected clinical factors. For the total sample, relationships were noted for most of the background characteristics. Lessons learned focused on community relationships and participant recruitment.

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“…In studies with predominantly Caucasian samples social context variables, including global and domain-specific support, were positively associated with the consumption of fruits and vegetables (11, 21, 22). Although research has documented the central role of social support in minority cultures, particularly for African Americans (23, 24), very little research has investigated the association between interpersonal processes and eating behaviors for older African Americans with the exception of a recent study finding elements of social support are associated with dietary quality (25). …”

Section: Protective Role Of Social Supportmentioning

confidence: 99%

Life dissatisfaction and eating behaviors among older African Americans: The protective role of social support

Wickrama

Ralston

O’Neal

et al. 2012

The Journal of nutrition, health and aging

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Objectives To examine (a) the influences of life dissatisfaction and dietary social support on eating behaviors (a high-fat diet and fruit/vegetable consumption) of older African Americans and (b) the moderating role of perceived dietary social support on the association between their life dissatisfaction and unhealthy eating behaviors. Design Baseline data from a larger intervention study of mid-life and older African Americans. The study incorporated a quasi-experimental design with random selection of participants, stratifying for age and gender. Setting Six churches in North Florida. Participants One hundred and seventy-eight (132 females and 46 males with a median age of 60) older African Americans. Measurements A structured questionnaire elicited personal data as well as information on eating behaviors, life dissatisfaction, and perceived dietary social support. Results Older African Americans with more cumulative life adversity, as reflected by high life dissatisfaction, had significantly poorer eating behaviors including the consumption of a high-fat diet and low intake of fruits and vegetables. Older African Americans' dietary choices were also associated with their perceived social support. More importantly, perceived social support acted as a buffer to mitigate the influence of life dissatisfaction on older African Americans' eating behaviors. Conclusion Life dissatisfaction places older African Americans at risk for unhealthy eating behaviors. However, high levels of dietary social support can protect older African Americans from the influence of life dissatisfaction on unhealthy eating behaviors. There are practical implications of this research for health interventions and programming.

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Social Support and Dietary Quality in Older African American Public Housing Residents

Cited by 8 publications

References 57 publications

Eating Behaviors of Older African Americans: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

Eating Behaviors of Older African Americans: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

Reducing cardiovascular disease risk in mid-life and older African Americans: A church-based longitudinal intervention project at baseline

Life dissatisfaction and eating behaviors among older African Americans: The protective role of social support

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