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Objective: To identify demographic risk factors associated with high stress and examine the relationships between levels of stress, demographics and dietary fat, fruit and vegetable intakes in low-income pregnant women with overweight or obesity.Design: A cross-sectional study.Setting: Participants were recruited from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children in Michigan, USA.ParticipantsParticipants (n 353) were non-Hispanic Black (black) or White (white).Results: Women aged 35 years or older (OR=4·09; 95% CI 1·45, 11·51) and who had high school or less education (OR=1·88; 95% CI 1·22, 2·89) or were unemployed (OR=1·89; 95% CI 1·15, 3·12) were significantly more likely to report high stress than women who were younger, had at least some college education or were employed/homemakers. However, race and smoking status were not associated with level of stress. Women with high stress reported significantly lower fruit and vegetable intakes but not fat intake than women with low stress. Women aged 35 years or older reported significantly higher vegetable but not fat or fruit intake than women who were 18-24 years old. Black women reported significantly higher fat but not fruit or vegetable intake than white women. Education, employment and smoking status were not significantly associated with dietary intake of fat, fruits and vegetables.Conclusions: Nutrition counselling on reducing fat and increasing fruit and vegetable intakes may consider targeting women who are black or younger or who report high stress, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The overall purpose of the study was to explore perceptions of family support in diabetes self-management among African American adults with type 2 diabetes., Methods: A qualitative study using focus group methodology and individual interviews was conducted. Thirty-seven African American adults with type 2 diabetes were recruited in the Midwest, United States. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis., Results: Themes emerged from the perspectives of the social interdependence theory. Positive family support included emotional support, instrumental support, and specific information or advice on diabetes management strategies. Positivity, family communication, and healthy eating/meal planning were perceived as helpful family behaviors. Negative support was perceived as intentional or unintentional behaviors. Family members' help in decision-making included goal setting with family member(s) and help in making decisions on diet and exercise. Recommendations included exercise and nutritional programs, support groups, family involvement, and materials and resources. Motivations for attending diabetes programs included involving family members, sharing success stories, seeing positive results, encouraging and caring, and providing incentives., Conclusions: Intervention programs for African Americans should specifically target challenges in family support, healthy eating, and physical activity at an interpersonal level. Health care providers should assess family roles and family support to facilitate diabetes self-management for African Americans.

Chinese American breast cancer survivors' adherence to recommended physical activity (PA) guidelines has been understudied. This study investigated their PA adherence by acculturation level (vs. non-Hispanic White (NHW) survivors). One hundred ninety five Chinese and 202 NHW breast cancer survivors (stage 0-III) responded to a cross-sectional survey including a self-reported PA questionnaire. PA adherence referred to meeting PA recommendations for cancer survivors. Acculturation among Chinese was defined by proxies of U.S. residency, English proficiency, and interview language. Logistic regression was performed to examine factors associated with PA adherence. More-acculturated Chinese survivors' PA adherence rate was 76%. Less-acculturated Chinese survivors' adherence rate (60%) was significantly lower than that of NHWs (80%) (OR 0.38, 95%CI 0.19, 0.75). Less-acculturated Chinese survivors were also less likely to engage in vigorous-intensity PA than NHWs (p < 0.01). Future research on less-acculturated Chinese survivors' motivation for PA to promote their adherence is needed.

Background: Long-term management of hypertension and diabetes, which are more prevalent in minority and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, presents challenges for healthcare providers in community health centers., Objectives: The purpose of the study was twofold: to examine health outcomes for persons with hypertension and diabetes and to compare these outcomes for disparities in patients who were Black, Hispanic, or White., Methods: Medical records (N = 280) from an urban community health center that serves predominantly uninsured adults were reviewed for selected clinical outcomes of primary care. Measures included outcomes of hypertension and diabetes control, lifestyle behaviors, preventive care, and patient status. Chi-square tests, t tests, and one-way analysis of covariance were used to analyze racial/ethnic group differences., Results: Data revealed significant differences in smoking status, influenza immunization, and blood pressure. Racial/ethnic group differences were minimal compared with the overall high prevalence of risk factors such as smoking and obesity. Regular access to primary care did not result in improved clinical outcomes., Conclusion: The findings support the need for more effective interventions that promote healthy lifestyle if health disparities in low-income populations with chronic conditions are to be reduced.