267478 Perceived self-efficacy in reading Nutrition Facts labels about salt content in a public health clinic population: Los Angeles County, California

Monday, October 29, 2012

Patricia L. Cummings, MPH , County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Health, Office of Senior Health, Los Angeles, CA
Tony Kuo, MD, MSHS , County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Health, Office of Senior Health, Los Angeles, CA
Brenda Robles, MPH , Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA
Gloria Kim, MPH , Office of Senior Health, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA
Lisa V. Smith, MS, DrPH , Health Assessment and Epidemiology, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA
Introduction: Perceived self-efficacy in reading labels about sodium (salt) content is often an overlooked contributor to self-directed behavioral change(s) that influences cardiovascular health. The present analysis examines the level of self-efficacy in reading sodium labels among a group of vulnerable, low-income adults in a large, urban jurisdiction. Methods: The first round of the Los Angeles County Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (LA HANES) was a local health assessment of low-income adults residing in underserved regions of Los Angeles County (LAC). Conducted in 2011, prospective participants who met eligibility criteria were recruited systematically from five large public health centers. Each respondent completed a battery of biometric measurements, including waist circumference, height, weight, and blood pressure. Each also completed a written survey on self-reported demographics, health-risk behaviors, and perceived self-efficacy in healthy eating. Results: The survey response rate was 73% (n=720). A majority of respondents were black or Hispanic/Latino, female, and ages 25-44. Many were unemployed, had some college education or less, and/or were pre-hypertensive (SBP 120-139 or DBP 80-89) (40% respectively); 28% smoked. In comparative analyses, Asian/Pacific Islanders, blacks, and Hispanics/Latinos were more likely to report lower self-efficacy in reading sodium Nutrition Facts labels than whites (OR=1.69, 95% CL: 1.12-2.53; OR=1.71, 95% CL: 0.98-3.00; OR=1.64, 95% CL: 1.08-2.46, respectively). Conclusion: Study findings provide important insights into behavioral factors that may influence cardiovascular health, especially in low-income, at-risk groups. Perceived self-efficacy should be considered in the planning of public health interventions targeting sodium reduction in the community.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Chronic disease management and prevention
Epidemiology
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1. Evaluate the perceived self-efficacy in reading sodium (salt) labels in a low-income, public health clinic population; and 2. Discuss the implications of self-efficacy in healthy eating during the planning of sodium reduction efforts in the community.

Keywords: Ethnic Minorities, Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the principal or co-principal investigator of multiple research studies focusing on the epidemiology of food quality and food safety. Among my scientific interests has been the development of strategies for preventing obesity, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and other chronic conditions impacted by food quality and food safety. I am also the program manager of the Los Angeles County Sodium Reduction Initiative.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.