title: Prevalence of high-risk behaviors and obesity among low-income patients attending primary care clinics in Louisiana.
abstract: This study examined the prevalence of the most prominent high-risk behaviors that contribute to mortality in the United States (i.e., sedentary lifestyle, cigarette smoking, and high dietary fat intake) and obesity among low-income patients attending primary care clinics in Louisiana. The sample consisted of 1,132 patients attending primary care clinics that were randomly selected and administered a demographic questionnaire, the 1994 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, and the Eating Patterns Questionnaire. Participants consisted predominantly of African-American (67.7%), uninsured (73.3%), low-income, middle-aged females. Prevalence of high-risk behaviors included sedentary lifestyle (47.1%), cigarette smoking (26.2%), and high dietary fat intake (61.3%). Prevalence of obesity was 63.5%. In conclusion, low-income patients attending primary care clinics in Louisiana display a high frequency of important high-risk behaviors that contribute to mortality in this country. Obesity is also extremely prevalent in this population. Clinical implications and directions for future studies are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008145:Louisiana / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D011203:Poverty; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011897:Random Allocation; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology