Abstract 13695: Neighborhood Perception is Associated With Physical Activity and Nutrition Self-Efficacy Among African Americans: The Washington, DC Cardiovascular Health and Needs Assessment

Abstract

Background: Although environmental factors influence cardiovascular (CV) health behaviors, like physical activity (PA) and nutrition, relationships between neighborhood environment (NE) perception and self-efficacy related to these health behaviors is unclear. Methods: We explored associations between NE perception and self-efficacy for performing nutrition and PA behaviors aimed at weight loss in the Washington DC CV Health and Needs Assessment, a community-engaged CV health evaluation in lower-resourced DC areas. Participants completed the PA and Nutrition Self-Efficacy (PANSE) scale (higher score=greater self-efficacy) and validated NE perception questions about violence, physical/social environment, social cohesion, and safety (higher scores=more favorable perception). Linear regression models were performed to assess relationships between each neighborhood perception construct and self-efficacy, adjusting for covariates. Results: Participants (N=78) were African Americans (AA), predominantly women (84.6%), with an age range=23-84 (mean 59.5, SD±12.1) years. Perceived neighborhood violence, physical/social environment, social cohesion, and neighborhood safety were significantly and positively associated with self-efficacy (Table 1). After adjusting for socio-demographics, neighborhood violence and safety remained significantly associated with self-efficacy, where more favorable perceptions about violence and safety associated with greater self-efficacy. Perceptions of physical/social environment were marginally associated with self-efficacy. Conclusion: Favorable NE perceptions about violence and safety are associated with increased self-efficacy for performing PA and nutrition behaviors aimed at weight loss. Interventions and public health policies tailored for improving NE perceptions may enhance self-efficacy for nutrition and PA behaviors aimed at weight loss in AAs.