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Upenieks L, Hill TD, Ford-Robertson J. Religion and Pandemic Weight Gain: A Refuge from the Storm? JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY AND THEOLOGY 2023; 51:392-411. [PMID: 38602957 PMCID: PMC10183346 DOI: 10.1177/00916471231167225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic was an inherently stressful global crisis that was associated with weight gain for over 40% of the American public. Building on previous research, we draw on recently collected national survey data from the United States to examine the effects of religious attendance (both in-person and virtual), the sense of divine control, and religious/spiritual (R/S) struggles on pandemic weight gain. A series of logistic regression models were conducted. Our findings suggest that divine control and monthly in-person religious attendance were associated with a lower risk of pandemic weight gain, while R/S struggles were associated with a higher risk of weight gain. Our results reveal the complex role that religiosity can play with respect to pandemic weight gain.
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Nie F. Body Mass Index in Religious Contexts: Exploring the Multilevel Influences of Religion. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2021; 60:1160-1178. [PMID: 31165317 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-019-00844-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Can the religious values of an entire geographic area affect the BMI of people living in that same area, even people with different religious values? Although prior research has demonstrated that individual religious characteristics are associated with individual BMI, less is known about how the overall religious context influences BMI. Using multilevel analyses on two waves of the National Study of Youth and Religion merged with county-level variables, this study finds that a county's higher Catholic population share is associated with lower individual BMI even after controlling for various individual and county-level variables. Surprisingly, this Catholic contextual effect on BMI applies to almost everyone living in a predominantly Catholic county regardless of individual Catholic identity and residential movement across counties. In contrast, county-level conservative Protestant population share is linked with higher BMI. However, this conservative Protestant contextual effect is explained by county-level socioeconomic variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanhao Nie
- Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice, Valdosta State University, 1500 N. Patterson St, Valdosta, GA, 31698, USA.
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Michgelsen J, Boateng D, Meeks KA, Beune E, Addo J, Bahendeka S, Stronks K, Agyemang C. Association between Practising Religion and Cardiovascular Disease Risk among Ghanaian Non-Migrants and Migrants in Europe: The RODAM Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18052451. [PMID: 33801505 PMCID: PMC7967581 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
(1) Background: Sub-Saharan African migrants residing in high-income countries are more affected by cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and associated risk factors than host populations for unclear reasons. The aim was to explore the associations of religion and religious affiliations with CVD risk among Ghanaian non-migrants and migrants in Europe. (2) Methods: The 10-year CVD risk was estimated using pooled cohort equations for 3004 participants from the cross-sectional Research on Obesity and Diabetes among African Migrants (RODAM) study. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess associations between religion and elevated CVD risk (score ≥ 7.5) with adjustment for covariates. (3) Results: Religious men in Europe had a lower 10-year CVD risk compared with non-religious men (adjusted OR 0.51; 95% confidence interval 0.30–0.85), specifically men affiliated with Seventh-Day Adventism (0.24; 0.11–0.53) followed by other affiliations (0.32; 0.11–0.94) and Roman Catholicism (0.42; 0.21–0.86). The opposite was found in Ghana, with religious women having higher odds for elevated 10-year CVD risk (1.53; 1.02–2.30) compared with their non-religious counterparts, specifically women affiliated with Reformed Christianity (1.73; 1.03–2.90) and other denominations (2.81; 1.20–6.54). Associations were not significant for men in Ghana and women in Europe. Adjustments for social support, stress, and health behaviors did not meaningfully alter the associations. (4) Conclusions: Christian religious Ghanaian men living in Europe seem to have lower CVD risk compared with their non-religious counterparts, while Christian religious women in Ghana appear to have increased CVD risk. Further unravelling the contributing factors and the differences between sex and environmental settings is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Michgelsen
- Department of Public Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (K.A.C.M.); (E.B.); (K.S.); (C.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +316-43-42-89-03
| | - Daniel Boateng
- Julius Global Health, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | - Karlijn A.C. Meeks
- Department of Public Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (K.A.C.M.); (E.B.); (K.S.); (C.A.)
- Center for Research on Genomics and Global Health, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-5635, USA
| | - Erik Beune
- Department of Public Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (K.A.C.M.); (E.B.); (K.S.); (C.A.)
| | - Juliet Addo
- Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK;
| | | | - Karien Stronks
- Department of Public Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (K.A.C.M.); (E.B.); (K.S.); (C.A.)
| | - Charles Agyemang
- Department of Public Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (K.A.C.M.); (E.B.); (K.S.); (C.A.)
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Shattuck EC, Muehlenbein MP. Religiosity/Spirituality and Physiological Markers of Health. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2020; 59:1035-1054. [PMID: 29978269 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-018-0663-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The long-standing interest in the effects of religiosity and spirituality (R/S) on health outcomes has given rise to a large and diverse literature. We conducted a meta-analysis on research involving R/S and physiological markers of health to elucidate both the scope and mechanism(s) of this phenomenon. A combined analysis found a significant, but small, beneficial effect. Subgroup analyses found that some measures of both extrinsic and intrinsic religiosity were significantly associated with health. Several outcome measures, including blood pressure, C-reactive protein, and cardiovascular health markers, were significantly associated with R/S. Our findings suggest that R/S benefits health, perhaps through minimizing the disruptive effects of stress/depression on inflammation. We hope that researchers can use these results to guide efforts aimed at elucidating the true mechanism(s) linking religious/spiritual beliefs and physical health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric C Shattuck
- Department of Anthropology, Baylor University, One Bear Place 97173, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
- Institute for Health Disparities Research, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, USA
| | - Michael P Muehlenbein
- Department of Anthropology, Baylor University, One Bear Place 97173, Waco, TX, 76798, USA.
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McElfish PA, Ayers B, Riklon S, Selig JP, Yeary KHC, Carleton A, Wilmoth R, Laukon F, Gittelsohn J, Netwon M, Long CR. Study protocol for a multilevel diabetes prevention program for Marshallese Pacific Islanders in faith-based organizations. Contemp Clin Trials Commun 2020; 17:100528. [PMID: 32025587 PMCID: PMC6997497 DOI: 10.1016/j.conctc.2020.100528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 10/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Pearl A. McElfish
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 1125, N. College Ave., Fayetteville, AR, 72703, USA
| | - Britni Ayers
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 1125, N. College Ave., Fayetteville, AR, 72703, USA
| | - Sheldon Riklon
- Office of Community Health and Research, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 1125 N. College Ave., Fayetteville, AR, 72703, USA
| | - James P. Selig
- College of Public Health University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, #820, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Karen Hye-cheon Yeary
- Cancer Prevention and Control, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carton Streets, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Ayoola Carleton
- Office of Community Health and Research, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 1125 N. College Ave., Fayetteville, AR, 72703, USA
| | - Ralph Wilmoth
- Office of Community Health and Research, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 1125 N. College Ave., Fayetteville, AR, 72703, USA
| | - Faith Laukon
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 1125, N. College Ave., Fayetteville, AR, 72703, USA
| | - Joel Gittelsohn
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health 615 North Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD, 21205-2179, USA
| | - Morda Netwon
- Office of Community Health and Research, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 1125 N. College Ave., Fayetteville, AR, 72703, USA
| | - Christopher R. Long
- Office of Community Health and Research, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 1125 N. College Ave., Fayetteville, AR, 72703, USA
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Miller DG. Considering Weight Loss Programs and Public Health Partnerships in American Evangelical Protestant Churches. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2018; 57:901-914. [PMID: 28712020 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-017-0451-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The obesity epidemic is a critical public health threat facing the USA. With the advent of American Evangelical Protestant (AEP) weight loss guides and narratives, AEP churches could potentially aid public health agencies in combatting obesity, and some scholars have called for investment in partnerships between public health agencies and religious institutions. This paper examines the theological and social underpinnings of AEP weight loss programs and considers the potential benefits and risks of public health partnerships with AEP churches to combat obesity. While AEP churches may be successful at empowering people to lose weight, AEP weight loss also carries several risks. These risks include reinforcing gendered bodily norms, stigmatizing both overweight bodies and unhealthy behaviors deemed to be sinful (for example, overeating), and failing to acknowledge social factors that promote obesity. These risks must be assessed and minimized to create appropriate public health weight loss partnerships with AEP communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Gibbes Miller
- Independent Scholarship, 922 3rd St NE, Washington, DC, 20002, USA.
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McElfish PA, Long CR, Kaholokula JK, Aitaoto N, Bursac Z, Capelle L, Laelan M, Bing WI, Riklon S, Rowland B, Ayers BL, Wilmoth RO, Langston KN, Schootman M, Selig JP, Yeary KHCK. Design of a comparative effectiveness randomized controlled trial testing a faith-based Diabetes Prevention Program (WORD DPP) vs. a Pacific culturally adapted Diabetes Prevention Program (PILI DPP) for Marshallese in the United States. Medicine (Baltimore) 2018; 97:e0677. [PMID: 29742712 PMCID: PMC5959435 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000010677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pacific Islander populations, including Marshallese, face a disproportionately high burden of health disparities relative to the general population. OBJECTIVES A community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach was utilized to engage Marshallese participants in a comparative effectiveness trial testing 2 Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) interventions designed to reduce participant's weight, lower HbA1c, encourage healthy eating, and increase physical activity. DESIGN To compare the effectiveness of the faith-based (WORD) DPP to the culturally adapted (Pacific Culturally Adapted Diabetes Prevention Program [PILI]) DPP, a clustered randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 384 Marshallese participants will be implemented in 32 churches located in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Churches will be randomly assigned to WORD DPP arm or to PILI DPP arm. METHODS WORD DPP focuses on connecting faith and health to attain a healthy weight, eat healthy, and be more physically active. In contrast, PILI DPP is a family and community focused DPP curriculum specifically adapted for implementation in Pacific Islander communities. PILI focuses on engaging social support networks to maintain a healthy weight, eat healthy, and be more physically active. All participants are assessed at baseline, immediate post intervention, and 12 months post intervention. SUMMARY Both interventions aim to cause weight loss through improving physical activity and healthy eating, with the goal of preventing the development of T2D. The clustered RCT will determine which intervention is most effective with the Marshallese population. The utilization of a CBPR approach that involves local stakeholders and engages faith-based institutions in Marshallese communities will increase the potential for success and sustainability. This study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03270436).
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Affiliation(s)
- Pearl Anna McElfish
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sci10-1ences Northwest, 1125 N. College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR
| | - Christopher R. Long
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sci10-1ences Northwest, 1125 N. College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR
| | | | - Nia Aitaoto
- Center for Pacific Islander Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, Fayetteville
| | - Zoran Bursac
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, TN
| | - Lucy Capelle
- Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese, Springdale, AR
| | | | - Williamina Ioanna Bing
- Office of Community Health and Research, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, Fayetteville
| | - Sheldon Riklon
- Office of Community Health and Research, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, Fayetteville
| | - Brett Rowland
- Office of Community Health and Research, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, Fayetteville
| | - Britni L. Ayers
- Office of Community Health and Research, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, Fayetteville
| | - Ralph O. Wilmoth
- Office of Community Health and Research, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, Fayetteville
| | - Krista N. Langston
- Office of Community Health and Research, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, Fayetteville
| | - Mario Schootman
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, St Louis, MO; Department of Biostatistics
| | - James P. Selig
- College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
| | - Karen Hye-cheon Kim Yeary
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
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8
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Tan MM, Chan CKY, Reidpath DD. Religiosity, dietary habit, intake of fruit and vegetable, and vegetarian status among Seventh-Day Adventists in West Malaysia. J Behav Med 2016; 39:675-86. [DOI: 10.1007/s10865-016-9736-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Horton SEB. Religion and health-promoting behaviors among emerging adults. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2015; 54:20-34. [PMID: 24030810 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-013-9773-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Studies suggest we capitalize upon religion's health benefits to prevent obesity. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to determine how emerging adults used religion to manage their health. Two focus groups were conducted among White and African American participants. Content analysis of the data revealed categories about their attitudes regarding parental and religious influences, religion's influence on behavior, negative health effects of religion, barriers, obesity prevention, and health promotion programs. Society sends out "easy" solutions for unhealthy behaviors, but we should focus on healthy behavior benefits, remove barriers, and consider religion's part in health promotion (obesity prevention).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalonda E B Horton
- School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin, 1710 Red River Street, Austin, TX, 78701, USA,
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10
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Yeary KHCK, Cornell CE, Prewitt E, Bursac Z, Tilford JM, Turner J, Eddings K, Love S, Whittington E, Harris K. The WORD (Wholeness, Oneness, Righteousness, Deliverance): design of a randomized controlled trial testing the effectiveness of an evidence-based weight loss and maintenance intervention translated for a faith-based, rural, African American population using a community-based participatory approach. Contemp Clin Trials 2014; 40:63-73. [PMID: 25461496 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2014.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2014] [Revised: 11/05/2014] [Accepted: 11/08/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The positive effects of weight loss on obesity-related risk factors diminish unless weight loss is maintained. Yet little work has focused on the translation of evidence-based weight loss interventions with the aim of sustaining weight loss in underserved populations. Using a community-based participatory approach (CBPR) that engages the strong faith-based social infrastructure characteristic of rural African American communities is a promising way to sustain weight loss in African Americans, who bear a disproportionate burden of the obesity epidemic. OBJECTIVES Led by a collaborative community-academic partnership, The WORD aims to change dietary and physical activity behaviors to produce and maintain weight loss in rural, African American adults of faith. DESIGN The WORD is a randomized controlled trial with 450 participants nested within 30 churches. All churches will receive a 16-session core weight loss intervention. Half of the churches will be randomized to receive an additional 12-session maintenance component. METHODS The WORD is a cultural adaptation of the Diabetes Prevention Program, whereby small groups will be led by trained church members. Participants will be assessed at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months. A detailed cost-effectiveness and process evaluation will be included. SUMMARY The WORD aims to sustain weight loss in rural African Americans. The utilization of a CBPR approach and the engagement of the faith-based social infrastructure of African American communities will maximize the intervention's sustainability. Unique aspects of this trial include the focus on weight loss maintenance and the use of a faith-based CBPR approach in translating evidence-based obesity interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Hye-cheon Kim Yeary
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, 4301 West Markham Street #820, Little Rock, AR 72205-7199, USA.
| | - Carol E Cornell
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, 4301 West Markham Street #820, Little Rock, AR 72205-7199, USA
| | - Elaine Prewitt
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, 4301 West Markham Street #820, Little Rock, AR 72205-7199, USA
| | - Zoran Bursac
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, 4301 West Markham Street #820, Little Rock, AR 72205-7199, USA
| | - J Mick Tilford
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, 4301 West Markham Street #820, Little Rock, AR 72205-7199, USA
| | - Jerome Turner
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, 4301 West Markham Street #820, Little Rock, AR 72205-7199, USA
| | - Kenya Eddings
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, 4301 West Markham Street #820, Little Rock, AR 72205-7199, USA
| | - ShaRhonda Love
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, 4301 West Markham Street #820, Little Rock, AR 72205-7199, USA
| | - Emily Whittington
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, 4301 West Markham Street #820, Little Rock, AR 72205-7199, USA
| | - Kimberly Harris
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, 4301 West Markham Street #820, Little Rock, AR 72205-7199, USA
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Abstract
We estimated the relationship between religion and body mass index (BMI) for a general and representative sample of the Australia population. Data from the Household Income Labour Dynamics survey were analysed for 9,408 adults aged 18 and older. OLS regression analyses revealed that religious denomination was significantly related to higher BMI, after controlling for socio-demographic, health behaviours, and psychosocial variables. 'Baptist' men had, on average, a 1.3 higher BMI compared to those reporting no religious affiliation. Among women, 'Non-Christians' had, on average, a 1 unit lower BMI compared to those reporting no religious affiliation while 'Other Christian' women reported, on average, a 1 unit higher BMI. Our results also indicate that there was a negative relationship between religious importance and BMI among Australian women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Kortt
- Southern Cross Business School, Southern Cross University, Riverside Campus, Corner Brett and Wharf Street, Tweed Heads, NSW, 2485, Australia,
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12
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Assessing the online social environment for surveillance of obesity prevalence. PLoS One 2013; 8:e61373. [PMID: 23637820 PMCID: PMC3634787 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2012] [Accepted: 03/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Understanding the social environmental around obesity has been limited by available data. One promising approach used to bridge similar gaps elsewhere is to use passively generated digital data. Purpose This article explores the relationship between online social environment via web-based social networks and population obesity prevalence. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study using linear regression and cross validation to measure the relationship and predictive performance of user interests on the online social network Facebook to obesity prevalence in metros across the United States of America (USA) and neighborhoods within New York City (NYC). The outcomes, proportion of obese and/or overweight population in USA metros and NYC neighborhoods, were obtained via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance and NYC EpiQuery systems. Predictors were geographically specific proportion of users with activity-related and sedentary-related interests on Facebook. Results Higher proportion of the population with activity-related interests on Facebook was associated with a significant 12.0% (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 11.9 to 12.1) lower predicted prevalence of obese and/or overweight people across USA metros and 7.2% (95% CI: 6.8 to 7.7) across NYC neighborhoods. Conversely, greater proportion of the population with interest in television was associated with higher prevalence of obese and/or overweight people of 3.9% (95% CI: 3.7 to 4.0) (USA) and 27.5% (95% CI: 27.1 to 27.9, significant) (NYC). For activity-interests and national obesity outcomes, the average root mean square prediction error from 10-fold cross validation was comparable to the average root mean square error of a model developed using the entire data set. Conclusions Activity-related interests across the USA and sedentary-related interests across NYC were significantly associated with obesity prevalence. Further research is needed to understand how the online social environment relates to health outcomes and how it can be used to identify or target interventions.
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Ayers JW, Hofstetter CR, Hughes SC, Park H, Paik HY, Irvin VL, Lee J, Juon HS, Latkin C, Hovell MF. Smoking on both sides of the pacific: home smoking restrictions and secondhand smoke exposure among Korean adults and children in Seoul and California. Nicotine Tob Res 2010; 12:1142-50. [PMID: 20924042 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntq164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study, informed by ecological frameworks, compared the prevalence, predictors, and association of home smoking restrictions with secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe) between Koreans in Seoul, South Korea, and Korean Americans in California, United States. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was drawn from telephone interviews with Korean adults in Seoul (N = 500) and California (N = 2,830) during 2001-02. Multivariable regressions were used for analyses. RESULTS Koreans, compared with Korean Americans, had significantly fewer complete home smoking bans, 19% (95% CI: 16-23) versus 66% (95% CI: 64-68), and were more likely to not have a home smoking restriction, 64% (95% CI: 60-69) versus 5% (95% CI: 4-6). Home smoking restrictions were associated with lower home SHSe; however, the impact was consistently larger among Korean Americans. Households with more SHSe sources were less likely to have the strongest home smoking restrictions, where the difference in complete bans among Korean Americans versus Koreans was largely among those at low risk of SHSe, 82% (95% CI: 76-86) versus 36% (95% CI: 17-57), while high-risk Korean American and Koreans had similar low probabilities, 10% (95% CI: 7-13) versus 7% (95% CI: 3-13). CONCLUSIONS Consistent with ecological frameworks, exposure to California's antismoking policy and culture was associated with stronger home smoking restrictions and improved effectiveness. Interventions tailored to Korean and Korean American SHSe profiles are needed. Behavioral interventions specifically for high-risk Korean Americans and stronger policy controls for Koreans may be effective at rapidly expanding home smoking restrictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W Ayers
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Ayers JW, Hofstetter CR, Hughes SC, Irvin VL, Sim DEK, Hovell MF. Exploring religious mechanisms for healthy alcohol use: religious messages and drinking among Korean women in California. J Stud Alcohol Drugs 2010; 70:890-8. [PMID: 19895765 DOI: 10.15288/jsad.2009.70.890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This research identifies social reinforcers within religious institutions associated with alcohol consumption among Korean women in California. METHOD Data were drawn from telephone interviews with female adults (N = 591) selected from a random sampling of persons in California with Korean surnames during 2007. Approximately 70% of attempted interviews were completed, with 92% conducted in Korean. Respondents were asked about any lifetime drinking (yes/no), drinking rate (typical number of drinks consumed on drinking days among current drinkers), and messages discouraging "excessive drinking" from religious leaders or congregants. Bivariable and multivariable regressions were used for analysis. RESULTS Approximately 70.4% of women reported any lifetime drinking, and drinkers drank a mean (SD) of 1.10 (1.22) drinks on drinking days. About 30.8% reported any exposure to religious leaders' messages discouraging excessive drinking, and 28.2% reported any exposure to similar messages from congregants. Each congregant's message was statistically significantly associated with a 5.1% lower probability (odds ratio = 0.775, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.626, 0.959) of any lifetime drinking. also, each congregant's message was associated with a 13.8% (B = -0.138; 95% CI: -0.306, 0.029) lower drinking rate, which was statistically significant after adjusting for covariates using a one-tailed test. Exposure to leaders' messages was not statistically significantly associated with any lifetime drinking or drinking rate. CONCLUSIONS Social reinforcement in the form of religious messages may be one mechanism by which religious institutions influence drinking behaviors. For Korean women, messages from congregants had a unique impact beyond the traditional religiosity indicators. These social mechanisms provide public health interventionists with religious pathways to improve drinking behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W Ayers
- Center for Behavioral Epidemiology and Community Health, Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92123-4388, USA.
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