title: The role of religiosity in dietary beliefs and behaviors among urban African American women.
abstract: The relationship between religiosity and health has been investigated in many studies, with most finding positive associations. However, little is known about the role of religiosity in dietary factors, particularly among African American women. We used a self-administered questionnaire to examine the association between religiosity and dietary beliefs and behaviors among African American women. Women with strong religious beliefs and behaviors reported more interest in eating more fruits and vegetables, perceived their consumption as being more important, and consumed more fruits and vegetables than women low in religious beliefs and behaviors. These findings highlight the role of both religious beliefs and behaviors as they relate to diet-related beliefs and behaviors in this population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL 35294-4410, USA. cholt@uab.edu
authors.forename: Cheryl L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Holt
authors.forename: Debra L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Haire-Joshu
authors.forename: Susan N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Lukwago
authors.forename: Laura A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Lewellyn
authors.forename: Matthew W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Kreuter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D004032:Diet / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012067:Religion; D014505:Urban Population