Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 19, Issue 2, 2017, Pages 489-493

Self-Efficacy, Health Literacy, and Nutrition and Exercise Behaviors in a Low-Income, Hispanic Population (Article)

Guntzviller L.M.* , King A.J. , Jensen J.D. , Davis L.S.A.
  • a Department of Communication, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 3001 Lincoln Hall, 702 S. Wright St., Urbana, IL 61801, United States
  • b Department of Public Relations, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
  • c Department of Communication, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
  • d Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ, United States

Abstract

Public health goals have emphasized healthy nutrition and exercise behaviors, especially in underserved populations. According to social cognitive theory (SCT), self-efficacy and capability (e.g., health literacy) may interact to predict preventative behaviors. We surveyed 100 low-income, native Spanish-speakers living in the United States who were low in English proficiency and predominantly of Mexican heritage. Participants reported their nutritional and exercise self-efficacy, Spanish health literacy, and nutrition and physical activity behaviors. Consistent with SCT, the interaction of self-efficacy and health literacy significantly predicted fruit and vegetable consumption and weekly exercise, and marginally predicted avoidance of high fat foods. For all three interactions, higher health literacy levels strengthened the positive relationship between self-efficacy and health behaviors. The results offer support for the tenets of SCT and suggest—for low-income, Spanish-speaking adults—that a combination of behavioral confidence and literacy capability are necessary to enact appropriate health behaviors. © 2016, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Author Keywords

Hispanic Health literacy nutrition self-efficacy Social cognitive theory Exercise and physical activity

Index Keywords

exercise poverty human epidemiology Health Behavior middle aged statistics and numerical data diet Aged language ethnology Hispanic Americans Self Efficacy United States Young Adult Humans Hispanic Adolescent male female self concept Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice adult Mexican Americans health literacy attitude to health Mexican American
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84961179354&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-016-0384-4&partnerID=40&md5=c9c1fba518fbc6cf9fa1ed658c6cd4f4
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-016-0384-4
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 16
Original Language: English