Examining Change In Social Support and Fruit and Vegetable Consumption In African American Adults

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2014

Department

Nutrition and Food Systems

School

Kinesiology and Nutrition

Abstract

Objective: To examine (a) inter-individual variation in African Americans' fruit and vegetable social support, behavior, and consumption trajectories by estimating latent growth curves (LGCs) and (b) the associations between these trajectories over time. Design: As part of a larger intervention study, data were collected from mid-life and older African Americans yearly for three years. The study incorporated a quasi-experimental design with random selection of participants, stratifying for age and gender. Setting: Six churches in North Florida. Participants: Two hundred and thirty one (73% women; median age range of 57-63) older African Americans. Measurements: A structured questionnaire elicited personal data as well as information on dietary social support, eating-related behaviors, and fruit and vegetable dietary intake. Results: Age was positively associated with initial social support but negatively associated with the rate of change in social support. More important, the rate of change in dietary social support predicted eating-related behavior trajectories, which influenced the rate of change in fruit and vegetable consumption over time after controlling for the intervention. Conclusion: These findings illustrate the mediating role of eating-related behaviors and the inter-locking nature of social support, behavior and consumption trajectories. This research has implications for future research as well as community interventions and programs. © 2014 Serdi and Springer-Verlag France.

Publication Title

Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging

Volume

18

Issue

1

First Page

10

Last Page

14

Link to Full Text

Find in your library

Share

COinS