The relationship between Latina/o youth’s internal health locus of control, cultural factors, and body mass index.

Abstract

Compared to their peers, Latina/o youth are at high risk of being overweight and obese and experiencing related health problems. Because of this, it is important to identify factors that may contribute to obesity among Latina/o youth. We explored the relationships among internal health locus of control (IHLOC), cultural factors (cultural orientation, ethnic identity), and Latina/o adolescents' body mass index (BMI; an index of obesity and overweight). One hundred twenty-eight Latina/o adolescents (ages 13-18 years) completed a series of questionnaires to assess ethnic identity (i.e., affirmation-belonging and participation), cultural orientation (i.e., Latina/o cultural orientation and Anglo cultural orientation), and IHLOC. We also obtained participants' reports of weight and height, which were used to calculate BMI. Results indicated that there was an inverse association between IHLOC and BMI; specifically, the greater internal control the adolescents perceived they had over their health, the lower their BMI. As expected, Latina/o cultural orientation moderated this relation, such that at moderate and high levels of Latina/o cultural orientation, IHLOC was associated with lower BMI. Contrary to expectations, ethnic identity affirmation-belonging moderated this relation in the opposite direction, such that at low and moderate levels of ethnic identity affirmation-belonging, IHLOC was associated with lower BMI. The importance of IHLOC, cultural factors, and context in obesity among Latina/o youth and the implications of these results for obesity intervention programming are discussed.

Nutritional Behaviors, Health Literacy, and Health Locus of Control of Secondary Schoolers in Southern Poland: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Furthermore, adolescent LOC showed significant correlation with obesity from age 13. These finding are in line with the results of the study performed by Radcliff et al among Latina youths [24]. In this study, higher participant IHLC was associated with lower BMI.…”

“…However, the results of the analysis of the relationship between MHLC scores and healthy lifestyle behaviors are variable. A significant association was reported for MHLC and dietary patterns [23], body mass index (BMI) [24], quality of life in patients with diabetes [25], the effect of organic food label on food consumption [26], compliance with childhood vaccinations [27], self-assessed health [28], cyberbullying and being victimized [29], and even for mortality [30]. The studies performed in Polish populations revealed a significant association between IHLC and health behaviors, including health nutrition, physical activity and using safety belts in cars, in students of health sciences [31], between PHLC and health behaviors in medical workers [32], and between IHLC, PHLC, and health behaviors in adults from other professional groups [32].…”

Type D Personality and Health Behaviors in People Living with Obesity

“…It has been suggested that the Internal Dimension is a predictor of successful obesity treatment; people with high internal control achieve more weight reduction and tend to maintain it longer, compared to the group with a dominant External Dimension. Meanwhile, overweight and obese individuals are more likely to have an external health locus of control [ 123 , 124 ]. Conversely, it has been observed that by knowing a patient’s attitude toward health control, obesity treatment programs can be adapted to their individual preferences, which will lead to greater satisfaction and more weight loss.…”

Non-Suicidal Self-Injury, Neuroticism, and Ethnic Identity in Young Latina Adults

“…The MEIM has demonstrated reliability and validity across ethnic groups (Cheng et al, 2010; Chesin & Jeglic, 2012; Walker et al, 2008). Specifically, the MEIM has shown good psychometric properties among Latinx samples (Radcliff et al, 2018). In the present study, the MEIM demonstrated good reliability (α = .89).…”