title: Cardiovascular disease knowledge and weight perception among Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  While knowledge of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has improved, it remains low among minority women, thereby contributing to disparities and posing health challenges. Moreover, substantial numbers of women do not recognize that excess weight imposes CVD risk and increases morbidity and decreases survival. In order to test the hypothesis that CVD knowledge is reduced among overweight and obese women, CVD knowledge and weight perception was compared among Hispanic and non-Hispanic white (NHW) women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from 382 Hispanic and 301 NHW women, participants in the Heart Health in Action database (n=829), were analyzed from a structured behavioral risk factor surveillance system (BRFSS) questionnaire to assess demographics, risk factors, and CVD knowledge. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was utilized to test for differences between Hispanic and NHW women regarding knowledge with covariates of age, education, and body mass index (BMI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hispanics (27%) were less likely than NHW (88%) to correctly identify the leading cause of death among women, (p<0.0001). Years living in the United States did not relate to the percentage of respondents who correctly identified the leading cause of death among women or knew the symptoms of a heart attack. Differences between Hispanic and NHW remained significant after adjustment for age, education, and BMI (p<0.0001). Hispanics (69.4%) were less likely than NHW (82.9 %) to correctly estimate weight (p<0.0001). Underestimation of weight was greater among Hispanics (24.8%) than NHW (5.0%); 48.5% of overweight Hispanic participants versus 12.7% of overweight NHW participants underestimated weight (p<0.0001) and 17.2% of obese Hispanic versus 0% of NHW obese participants (p=0.001) underestimated weight. The percentage underestimating the silhouette corresponding to their weight was related to years in the United States: 29.3% for<10 years, 38.3% with 10-19 years, and 49.3% with ≥20 years (p=0.01 for trend).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Effective prevention strategies for at-risk populations need to target CVD knowledge and awareness among overweight and obese Hispanic women.
authors.affiliation: 1 Center for Women's Health, Division of Cardiology and Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center , New York, New York.
authors.forename: Elsa-Grace V
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Giardina
authors.forename: Robert R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Sciacca
authors.forename: Laura E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Flink
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Bier
authors.forename: Tracy K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Moise
mesh_terms: D000069:Acculturation; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000208:ethnology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014892:Weight Perception; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*