BACKGROUND: There is a large body of epidemiological evidence linking poor diet to increased risk of coronary heart disease and lung, breast and cervix cancer. Higher mortality from these cancers among minority women due, in part, to reduced access to preventive care, makes nutrition a priority in the reduction of health disparities among ethnically diverse women. Social and cognitive factors such as ethnicity, SES, psychosocial factors (social support, locus of control, health and economic worries) and knowledge of the importance of diet on health are related to nutrition. We examine associations between these social factors and nutrition practices (fat avoidance and daily vegetable, fruit, and fiber consumption) among ethnically diverse women. METHODS: We analyze baseline data collected as part of a cognitive behavioral intervention project in Miami, FL (1994-5) aimed at preventing high-risk behaviors among low-income childbearing-age women (26% Black, 33% White, 41% Hispanic) at risk of HIV. RESULTS: Ethnic group-specific multivariate analyses based on baseline data from 552 women suggest that associations between cognitive and psychosocial factors and nutritional practices vary by ethnicity. CONCLUSION: Changing diet behaviors entails taking cultural context into account as ethnicity functions as a proxy for cognitive psychological factors such as attitude and knowledge that influence behavior and other risk factors not yet identified. Interventions should address the potential effects of health and economic worries on diet since eating is often a stress-reliever.
Learning Objectives: After listening to the paper, participants will be able to identify social factors associated with positive nutritional practices among women of different ethnic backgrounds. Participants will recognize how the importance of psychosocial factors on diet habits varies by ethnic group
Keywords: Nutrition, Women's Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.