Social Support and Dietary Quality in Older African American Public Housing Residents

Abstract

This study examined the role of social support in influencing dietary quality in older African American public housing residents, specifically investigating individual (age, education, gender, marital status, and living arrangement), social support (help with meals, social network size, frequency of contact, and proximity or distance from network), and dietary factors (number of meals consumed daily, dietary quality). A random sample (n = 80) of public housing residents age 55+ living in a Northeastern community was interviewed. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients, multiple regression analyses, and structural equation modeling (SEM). Given the limited sample size, a SEM path model was developed based on observed associations in correlation and regression analyses. Results show that number of meals, frequency of contact, and proximity significantly influenced dietary quality. However, dietary quality was indirectly influenced by education, marital status, having a housemate, and help with meals, highlighting influence of both individual and social factors.

Eating Behaviors of Older African Americans: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

“…Following the theory of planned behavior, our analyses also included demographic and contextual variables that existing research has shown to be related to fruit and vegetable behaviors. We were particularly interested in the inclusion of domain-specific social support (i.e., social support related to fruit and vegetable consumption) within the model because previous studies have shown this to be a key determinant of African Americans' dietary quality (Ralston et al, 2011;Thrasher et al, 2004). However, after controlling for the determinants of fruit and vegetable behavior included in the theory of planned behavior, social support was not associated with fruit and vegetable behavior and only marginally associated with fruit and vegetable intentions.…”

“…For instance, demographic variables, such as age, gender, education, and general health status, are also important variables to consider. In addition to demographic variables, existing research has shown social support to be a key determinant of African Americans' initiation and maintenance of health behaviors (Ralston, Cohen, Wickrama, & Kwag, 2011;Thrasher, Campbell, & Oates, 2004) and adults' fruit and vegetable intake (Shaikh, Yaroch, Nebeling, Yeh, & Resnicow, 2008). Social support may contribute to the consumption of a healthy diet by increasing motivation and providing encouragement and the necessary instrumental support to purchase, prepare, cook, and eat healthy foods.…”

Reducing cardiovascular disease risk in mid-life and older African Americans: A church-based longitudinal intervention project at baseline

“…Psychosocial factors such as life satisfaction and social support have been shown to be linked to food choice related to fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity, with African Americans with higher life satisfaction and higher levels of social support more likely to consume fruits and vegetables [43,44] and participate in physical activity [45,46]. Age influences food choice and overall health behaviors due to changes in health status and physical functioning as one ages [47–50].…”

Life dissatisfaction and eating behaviors among older African Americans: The protective role of social support

“…In studies with predominantly Caucasian samples social context variables, including global and domain-specific support, were positively associated with the consumption of fruits and vegetables (11, 21, 22). Although research has documented the central role of social support in minority cultures, particularly for African Americans (23, 24), very little research has investigated the association between interpersonal processes and eating behaviors for older African Americans with the exception of a recent study finding elements of social support are associated with dietary quality (25). …”