The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

3192.0: Monday, November 17, 2003 - Board 9

Abstract #68184

“What Do R.E.A.L. MEN Think? : Baseline Measures of the Nutrition and Exercise Patterns and Behaviors of African American Men in the R.E.A.L. MEN Project”

Torrance T. Brown, MPH, Robert Bailey, MPH, Colleen DiIorio, PhD, RN, Pamela Denzmore, MPH, Jamar Barnes, Ervin Reeder, Frances McCarty, PhD, and Terry Wang, MPH. Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1520 Clifton Rd, Rm. 264, Atlanta, GA 30322, 404.727.3070, ttbrown2@hotmail.com

The 2002 National Health Interview Survey estimates the annual percentage of adults aged 18 years and over who regularly engaged in leisure-time physical activity to have increased from 29.9% in 1998 to 32.1% in 2001, 26.1% of those adults were African Americans. Numerous studies suggest physical inactivity and poor nutrition are the leading factors for physical ailments and premature death resulting from chronic diseases. Further, many studies cite both physical inactivity and poor nutrition as major contributors to the upward trends in obesity. In the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2002 publication of National Vital Statistics, three out of the top five causes of all deaths were attributed to chronic diseases. Among African Americans, four out of the top five causes of death were attributed to chronic diseases.

For age groups 18-24, 25-64, and 75 years and over, women were less likely than men to engage in regular leisure-time physical activity. African American women also suffer higher death rates from chronic diseases than African American men. Despite the noted difference in health related outcomes for men and women, African American men have significantly lower life expectancies. There are a number of variables that contribute to such outcomes. Utilizing constructs of the Social Cognitive Theory, The R.E.A.L. Men Project explores the nutrition and exercise knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, behavioral intentions, and perceived health risks of African American Men. Baseline measures and descriptive data will be presented. The R.E.A.L Men Project is funded by The National Institutes of Mental Health R01 MH59010-A101

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Male Health, African American

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Rollins School of Public Health Emory University 1520;1518 Clifton Road Atlanta, GA 30322
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment

Food and Nutrition Posters IV: Selected Topics

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA