An Examination of Health-Promoting Behaviors Among Hispanic Adults Using an Activation and Empowerment Approach

Abstract

Obesity is a national epidemic in the United States. Racial/ethnic minorities are disproportionately affected by this obesity epidemic. Hispanic adults have a higher prevalence of obesity compared to non-Hispanic White adults. Levels of engagement in healthy eating and physical activity have been found to be associated with obesity. Research suggests that culturally informed, person-centered factors may influence engagement in healthy eating and physical activity. The purpose of the present study was to examine the association between person-centered, modifiable variables (i.e., activation, empowerment, and self-praise) and health-promoting behaviors (i.e., healthy eating and physical activity) among a cross-sectional sample of predominantly overweight/obese Hispanic adults (N = 87) recruited from two Hispanic churches and their surrounding communities in the Bronx, New York. A series of hierarchical regressions revealed that empowerment and self-praise were significant and positively associated with greater levels of engagement in healthy eating. Additionally, self-praise was significant and positively associated with greater levels of engagement in physical activity. The current findings suggest that these modifiable factors may be useful in informing intervention programs designed to improve healthy eating and physical activity among Hispanic adults.