%0 Journal Article
%T Multiple Health Behaviors Engagement in an African American Cohort: Clustering Patterns and Correlates
%A Dalnim Cho
%A David W. Wetter
%A Ivan H. C. Wu
%A Jemima C. John
%A Kamisha H. Escoto
%A Larkin L. Strong
%A Lorna H. McNeill
%A Nga T. Nguyen
%J Health Education & Behavior
%@ 1552-6127
%D 2019
%R 10.1177/1090198119826207
%X We investigated class clustering patterns of four behaviors¡ªphysical activity, fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake, smoking, and alcohol use¡ªin a faith-based African American cohort. Guided by socio-ecological models, we also examined the psychosocial and neighborhood social environmental factors associated with the clustering patterns. Participants were 1,467 African American adults recruited from a mega church in the metropolitan Houston, TX, in 2008-2009. They completed a survey and health assessment. Latent class analysis and multinomial regression analysis were conducted. Results supported a three-class model: Class 1 was characterized by low physical activity, low F&V intake, and low substance use (smoking and alcohol use). Class 2 was characterized by high physical activity, low F&V intake, and mild drinking. Class 3 seemed to be the healthiest group, characterized by high physical activity, moderate-to-high F&V intake, and low substance use. The probabilities of being included in Classes 1, 2, and 3 were .33, .48, and .19, respectively. Participants in Class 1 (vs. Class 3) reported lower physical activity norm (p < .001) and higher smoking norm (p = .002) and lower neighborhood social cohesion (p = .031). Participants in Class 2 (vs. Class 3) reported higher cancer risk perception (p < .001), lower F&V norm (p = .022), lower physical activity norm (p < .001), higher smoking norm (p < .001), and lower social cohesion (p = .047). As health behaviors are clustered together, future interventions for African Americans may consider targeting multiple health behaviors instead of targeting a single health behavior. Interventions addressing social norm and neighborhood social cohesion may enhance multiple health behaviors engagement in this population
%K African American
%K church
%K health disparities
%K multiple health behaviors
%K multiple risk factors
%K socio-ecological models
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1090198119826207