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The goals of the study were to identify the barriers and motivators for physical activity (PA) and to assess whether these factors vary by weight status. A self-administered survey was completed by 413 African American women. Each woman provided verbal informed consent and was weighed and measured by a research team member. The participants' mean BMI was 29.60±7.57. Women reported low levels of moderate vigorous PA in the past week— with zero days (46%), one to two days (28%), three to four days (18%), and five to seven days (8%). Women selected “all that apply” from nine potential barriers and five potential motivators to PA. Women with higher BMI were significantly more likely to report expensive gym membership (P<.001) and no one to exercise with (P<.001) as barriers. Women with lower BMI were significantly more likely to report that exercise was not a priority (P<.001). Women with higher BMI were significantly more likely to report a desire to lose weight as a motivator (P<.001). There were no other significant variables. The findings suggest that a public health challenge persists to engage African American women of all weight status in regular PA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asian Indians constitute the fastest growing body of international students across colleges and universities in the United States. Educational institutions should become informed about Asian Indian college students' lifestyles and health information seeking behaviors. A convenience sample of 300 self-identified Asian Indian students at a large southeastern university consented to participate in a cross-sectional study. Data were analyzed for descriptive statistics and chi-square. Participants reported changes in their lifestyles since they entered college. They identified doctors, friends, and family as their sources for health information. Students also indicated a need for information about healthy recipes, time management, and exercise. These findings suggest implications for health educators and other professionals to tailor health promotion messages toward this unique population of students. Asian Indians, who refer to themselves as East Indians or Indo-Americans, represent the fastest growing (69%) Asian sub-group in the United States (Asian American Federation, 2012). The U.S. Census Bureau (2010) popularized the term Asian Indian in 1980 to avoid confusion with the general term Indian. The Census Bureau also defined Asian Indians as individuals who live in the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent. Asian Indians are diverse with regard to the region of origin in India (North, South, East, and West) as well as the religion they practice (Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Christianity) that influences their dietary patterns. An extensive body of literature identified health, lifestyle, and cultural differences between Asian Indians and other ethnic groups residing in the US. Such differences can be attributed to the fact that Asian Indians consume a predominantly vegetarian diet and represent diverse cultures that include different dietary laws and codes for fasting and feasting, unique foods, and religious beliefs (American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, 2002; Kanaya et al., 2010; Kulkarni, 2004; Singh & Miller, 2004; Stella, Huang, & Singh, 2004). Literature also noted a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and hypertension among the Asian Indian population in the US (CDC, 2011; Kanaya et al., 2010; Misra & Vikram, 2004; Venkataraman, Nanda, Baweja, Parikh, & Bhatia, 2004). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior research on body satisfaction has focused primarily on White adolescent girls and college females with few studies among African Americans. This study proposed and tested a conceptual model for predicting body satisfaction among 789 African American adult men and women in north central Florida. The mean BMI was 26.68±4.28 and 26.57 ±5.81 for men and women, respectively; one-third of the participants (36%) were overweight and 23% were obese. In general, men reported they were more satisfied with their weight than women (40% versus 24%; p<.001) and more women had tried weight loss than men (70% versus 45%; p<.001). Multiple group path analysis (structural equation modeling) showed significant predictors of body satisfaction by gender; weight perception mediated the effect between BMI and body satisfaction for both groups (b = 0.52 for men and b = .56 for women). Among women, consumption of a healthy diet was associated with higher body satisfaction & being overweight or obese with a lower body satisfaction. Current weight and body satisfaction were mediated by preferred weight and weight perception in the path model. The model explained 46% of variance in body satisfaction (50% for women and 40% for men). Results have implications for developing gender-specific weight management messages, programs, and materials for African Americans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is the second leading cause of the death in the United States. This comes at a critical point where the country is also experiencing a shortage of oncology health care professionals in all areas of the workforce. The goals of this project were to: 1) assess undergraduate health education majors' perception of the role of health education in cancer education and prevention; 2) assess their academic preparation in positioning them to plan, implement, and evaluate cancer education and prevention programs; and 3) assess their interest in participating in an undergraduate scholars program in cancer education and prevention. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 260 undergraduate students enrolled in health education programs at six universities. Most students agreed or strongly agreed that health educators should be specifically trained to do all 12 specific functions related to cancer prevention and control. The majority also rated their academic programs highly on preparing them to work in the areas of prevention and control except in two major areas: implementing cancer education, screening, and prevention programs (52%) and developing cancer education, screening, and prevention programs (51%). Most students (75%) would be willing to participate in an intensive undergraduate certificate program in cancer prevention and control and they acknowledged their need for additional knowledge and training in cancer-specific areas. A cancer certificate training program can carve out a distinct role for health educators in the oncology workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Underage drinking is a widespread national problem that requires continuous attention from different agencies and groups in the community. This project was funded by a 50-member local coalition that included groups such as researchers, faith-based organizations, law enforcement, parents, schools, community college, university, local businesses, drug rehabilitation centers, and neighborhood crime watch. The goals of the project were (a) to determine the attitude towards underage drinking among residents and (b) to identify possible solutions to addressing the problem of underage drinking. A purposeful, convenient sample was used to recruit participants for six focus groups. The focus groups consisted of five adult groups and one teen group. The study used a socio-ecological model to develop the interview guide and as a framework for analyzing the data. Some of the major themes identified include (a) kids will be kids, (b) alcohol is a rite of passage, (c) the community is tolerant of underage drinking, (d) parents are a large part of the problem, (e) no one wants to get involved, and (f) the college town environment adds to the problem. The findings suggest that the socioecological model is an appropriate framework for assessing community's attitudes towards underage drinking and for planning future prevention programs and interventions. Recommendations for the coalition are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goals of this project were to 1) assess obesity status and body satisfaction among African American college students, and 2) to compare differences in these variables between students at a predominantly white university (PWU) and a historically black college and university (HBCU). Four hundred and two undergraduate females completed a self-administered survey ( 199 HBCU and 203 PWU). The mean BMI for all respondents was 25.24 ± 5.56. There was no significant difference between schools (HBCU = 25.62 ± 6.0: PWU = 24.89 ± 5,10) on BMI. Thirty-seven percent were satisfied/very satisfied with their weight, 36% were somewhat satisfied, and 27% were dissatisfied/very dissatisfied with their weight. There was no significant difference between schools. Fifty-one percent reported weight gain in college. Students at the HBCU who reported weight gain had higher BMI (27.22 ± 0.56) than students at the PWU (25.53 ± 0.52) who reported weight gain (p < .01). Fifty-one percent of respondents said they thought about their weight everyday/ almost everyday. There was no significant difference by school (p > .05). BMI varied by housing status; students living at home or alone off-campus had significantly higher BMI than those living on campus or off-campus with roommates (p = .0003). This study found few significant differences in weight status and body satisfaction between African American college females attending a HBCU and a PWU. Differences were due mainly to the demographic characteristics of the samples, particularly housing arrangement. Implications for college wellness programs are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]