BACKGROUND: Individuals with limited health literacy (LHL) have poorer health outcomes and have difficulty understanding and complying with recommendations to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The present study examined the association between health literacy (HL) and sources of dieting information, the weight-loss methods used and the information needed to manage weight among African American women. METHODS: This mixed method study included seven focus groups and a survey of 413 African American women. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the association between HL category and sources of dieting information, weight-loss methods and information needed to lose weight. Thematic analysis was used to analyse focus group data. RESULTS: Women with LHL were significantly more likely to have a higher body mass index (BMI) than those with AHL (P < 0.05). Compared to respondents with LHL, those with adequate health literacy (AHL) are more likely to rely on information obtained from the Internet (P < 0.001), although they are less likely to rely on information obtained from the television (P < 0.05). They also are significantly more likely to participate in physical activity to lose weight (P ≤ 0.002). In addition, women with AHL were significantly less likely to want information on portion control (P = 0.002). Major qualitative themes were the importance of television and the Internet as major sources of health information, the use of healthy and unhealthy weight-loss methods, and being overwhelmed by the plethora of dieting information. CONCLUSIONS: HL may affect BMI among AA women, where they access dieting information and the types of information needed to manage their weight.
BACKGROUND: Individuals with limited health literacy (LHL) have poorer health outcomes and have difficulty understanding and complying with recommendations to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The present study examined the association between health literacy (HL) and sources of dieting information, the weight-loss methods used and the information needed to manage weight among African American women. METHODS: This mixed method study included seven focus groups and a survey of 413 African American women. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the association between HL category and sources of dieting information, weight-loss methods and information needed to lose weight. Thematic analysis was used to analyse focus group data. RESULTS:Women with LHL were significantly more likely to have a higher body mass index (BMI) than those with AHL (P < 0.05). Compared to respondents with LHL, those with adequate health literacy (AHL) are more likely to rely on information obtained from the Internet (P < 0.001), although they are less likely to rely on information obtained from the television (P < 0.05). They also are significantly more likely to participate in physical activity to lose weight (P ≤ 0.002). In addition, women with AHL were significantly less likely to want information on portion control (P = 0.002). Major qualitative themes were the importance of television and the Internet as major sources of health information, the use of healthy and unhealthy weight-loss methods, and being overwhelmed by the plethora of dieting information. CONCLUSIONS: HL may affect BMI among AA women, where they access dieting information and the types of information needed to manage their weight.
Authors: Minal R Patel; Peter X K Song; Georgiana Sanders; Belinda Nelson; Elena Kaltsas; Lara J Thomas; Mary R Janevic; Kausar Hafeez; Wen Wang; Margaret Wilkin; Timothy R Johnson; Randall W Brown Journal: Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol Date: 2016-12-27 Impact factor: 6.347
Authors: Jared W Magnani; Mahasin S Mujahid; Herbert D Aronow; Crystal W Cené; Victoria Vaughan Dickson; Edward Havranek; Lewis B Morgenstern; Michael K Paasche-Orlow; Amy Pollak; Joshua Z Willey Journal: Circulation Date: 2018-06-04 Impact factor: 29.690
Authors: Madison D Anderson; Sharon Stein Merkin; Susan A Everson-Rose; Rachel Widome; Teresa Seeman; Jared W Magnani; Carlos J Rodriguez; Pamela L Lutsey Journal: J Immigr Minor Health Date: 2020-11-18
Authors: Monica L Wang; Tariana V Little; Christine Frisard; Amy Borg; Stephenie C Lemon; Milagros C Rosal Journal: PLoS One Date: 2018-10-24 Impact factor: 3.240