The role of physical activity and diet continues to grow in the determination of health status as evidenced in Healthy People 2010. However to reduce health disparities through community interventions requires closer examination of the manner in which multiple level socioeconomic status (SES) influences and shapes these kind of health behaviors. This paper is a multi-level analysis examining the relationship between two SES levels, individual and family, and two health behaviors, physical activity and diet. Data are derived from SisterTalk, a federally funded community intervention project aimed at increasing physical activity levels and improving diet among urban Black women residing in a Northeast city. Surveys for both the two levels of SES measures and health behaviors were administered to all participants at baseline. An intervention of physical activity and diet via cable television was administered. Following the intervention, physical activity and diet surveys were re-administered. Findings from questionnaires on physical activity levels and diet were assessed as a function of individual-level SES (education and income-to-needs ratio), and family-level SES measures. Results demonstrate family level factors acted as predictors of both baseline physical activity and diet, and changes in diet following the intervention. Moreover, tangible measures such as housing, adequate transportation and childcare, provide further information about how SES can influence health behaviors. Use of SES indicators can help shape further program development for underserved populations specifically in areas of physical activity and diet.
Learning Objectives: Following this presentation, the learner will be able to: 1. Expand the concept of socioeconomic status to include more than one level such as family and neighborhood level factors 2. Critically review different socioeconomic survey tools that serve best to measure the socioeconomic construct in their study/program 3. Increase awareness of the differential relationship between individual health behaviors and unique socioeconomic measures 4. Identify established community agencies already working to address social disparities that can work collaboratively to address socio-economic factors influencing health behaviors specifically physical activity and diet 3. Integrate into their needs assessment at least two multiple levels of socioeconomic measures 4. Evaluate program outcomes as a function of socioeconomic factors 5. Shape and develop programs that take into account the target population's socioeconomic status
Keywords: Social Inequalities, Community Health Planning
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.