title: Psychosocial variables and obesity-risk-reduction behaviors in Chinese Americans.
abstract: The objective of this study was to utilize social-psychological theories to explain obesity-risk-reduction behaviors. A questionnaire based on the health belief model and theory of planned behavior was administered to a convenience sample of 300 Chinese Americans in the New York metropolitan area. Psychosocial variables accounted for 40.4% of the variance of obesity-risk-reduction behaviors. Self-efficacy, behavioral intention, and perceived benefits emerged as most influential variables. Forty-eight percent of the variance of behavioral intention was accounted with self-efficacy predominating. Health professionals targeting Chinese Americans need to address self-efficacy, behavioral intention, and perceived benefits of adopting obesity-risk-reduction behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences, Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey 07043, USA. lioud@mail.montclair.edu
authors.forename: Doreen
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Liou
authors.forename: Kathleen D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: Yeon
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bai
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D012306:Risk; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013851:Thinness / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D014504:Urban Health / Q000208:ethnology; D055815:Young Adult