Social influence and motivation to change health behaviors among Mexican-origin adults: implications for diet and physical activity.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether influence from social network members is associated with motivation to change dietary and physical activity behaviors.


METHODS
Baseline assessment followed by mailing of family health history-based personalized messages (2 weeks) and follow-up assessment (3 months).


METHODS
Families from an ongoing population-based cohort in Houston, Texas.


METHODS
475 adults from 161 Mexican-origin families. Out of 347 households contacted, 162 (47%) participated.


METHODS
Family health history, social networks, and motivation to change behaviors.


METHODS
Two-level logistic regression modeling.


RESULTS
Having at least one network member who encourages one to eat more fruits and vegetables (p = .010) and to engage in regular physical activity (p = .046) was associated with motivation to change the relevant behavior. About 40% of the participants did not have encouragers for these behaviors.


CONCLUSIONS
Identification of new encouragers within networks and targeting natural encouragers (e.g., children, spouses) may increase the efficacy of interventions to motivate behavioral changes among Mexican-origin adults.
Social and Behavioral Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. sashida@memphis.edu
Sato
S
Ashida
Anna V
AV
Wilkinson
Laura M
LM
Koehly
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004032:Diet; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation / Q000502:physiology*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control; D012931:Social Environment; D040241:Social Marketing; D012944:Social Support; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013781:Texas; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult