Predicting Barriers to Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Among Black Women

Abstract

Differences between women who were currently trying to eat healthily and increase their physical activity level and those who were not trying to modify these behaviors were examined. Perceptions of barriers to modifying these behaviors were also examined. Data were from 244 black women who participated in a community-based survey conducted in 1993 in Wake County, North Carolina. Women who reported their health as excellent were less likely (OR = 0.45) than women who reported their health as good to report trying to change their eating behavior. A weight loss attempt was associated with trying to change one's eating behavior (OR = 2.83). Among women currently trying to change their eating behavior, those age 45–74 years were less likely (OR = 0.21) than women age 20–44 years to have a high barrier score on a modified diet subscale of the Environmental Barriers to Adherence scale (EBAS). The mean scores for three barrier dimensions—time constraints (2.6 versus 2.0), inconvenience (2.2 versus 1.8), and type of food (2.8 versus 2.2)—were significantly higher for younger than older women. Women who reported trying to increase their physical activity level were less likely (OR = 0.26) to be employed, more likely (OR = 3.98) to have attempted weight loss during the past year, and more likely (OR = 2.59) to be trying to eat healthily. No characteristics distinguished women who had high or low physical activity barrier scores on the exercise subscale of the EBAS. In sum, half of the respondents reported currently trying to change their eating behavior or increase their physical activity level. These findings contribute to an understanding of the process of behavioral change that may eventually result in improved health outcomes for black women.