Body mass index and obesity-related behaviors in African American church-based networks: A social network analysis

Author:

Nam SoohyunORCID,Jung Sunyoung,Vlahov David,Latkin Carl,Kershaw Trace,Whittemore Robin

Abstract

A growing body of research suggests that obesity can be understood as a complex and biobehavioral condition influenced by social relationships ─social networks. Social network analysis allows us to examine how an individual’s network characteristics (e.g., popularity) are associated with obesity and obesity-related behaviors. The objectives of the study were to (a) examine whether network members in African American churches are similar in body mass index (BMI) and obesity-related behaviors (physical activity, eating, alcohol consumption) and (b) examine whether an individual’s network characteristics, such as popularity (i.e., receiving nominations from peers) and expansiveness (i.e., sending nominations to peers) are associated with BMI and obesity-related behaviors. We used a cross-sectional study design and conducted social network analysis using Exponential random graph models with three African American church-based social networks (network A, B, and C, n = 281). There were no significant network members’ similarities on BMI in the three church-based networks. One out of three networks showed similarities in fruit and vegetable consumption (network B), fast food consumption (network C), physical activity, sedentary behaviors, and alcohol consumption (network A). African Americans with a high BMI were more popular, as were individuals with greater fat intake and alcohol consumption. Our findings support the perspective that we need to improve obesity-related behaviors by targeting influential individuals and existing ties and to develop obesity interventions using social networks. The degree to which our findings varied across churches also suggests that the relationship among an individual’s obesity-related behaviors and network characteristics should be understood in the unique social context.

Funder

National Institute of Nursing Research

National Research Foundation of Korea

Publisher

Public Library of Science (PLoS)

Subject

Multidisciplinary

Reference46 articles.

1. US Department of Health and Human Services The Office of Minority Health. Obesity and African Americans. 2020; https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=4&lvlid=25. Accessed Jan/5, 2021.

2. Beyond Race/Ethnicity: Skin Color and Cardiometabolic Health Among Blacks and Hispanics in the United States;J Wassink;J Immigr Minor Health,2017

3. Estimating physical activity trends among blacks in the United States through examination of four national surveys;WM Williams;AIMS Public Health,2018

4. The Relationship Between Physical Activity and Alcohol Use Among Adults in the United States;T Dodge;Am J Health Promot,2017

5. Alcohol Consumption and Obesity: An Update;G Traversy;Curr Obes Rep,2015

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3