Article Figures & Data
Figures
- Figure 1
Prevalence of resources.
PA = physical activity or physically active; rev = reverse coded from original.
Note: all coded in direction of positive opportunity.
- Figure 2
Prevalence of conversion factors.
PA = physical activity or physically active; rev = reverse coded from original.
Note: all coded in direction of positive opportunity.
- Figure 3
Scatterplots displaying covariance of resources and conversion factors for diet and physical activity in 292 participants.
Note: Each scale scored 1 (low) to 5 (high). Correlations at upper left in each cell.
- Figure 4
Scores for diet and physical activity resources and conversion factors in a random 20% sample of study participants (60 patients), wherein each plot represents 1 participant.
Note: Individual plots display 4 measures on 4 separate axes: scale scores for diet resources (north); diet conversion factors (east); activity resources (south); and activity conversion factors (west). Each scale’s range is 1 (center) to 5 (periphery). At bottom right is displayed the plot resulting from a maximum score on each measure.
Tables
Characteristic Value Sample size, No. 292 Age, mean (range), y 46.8 (18–78) Female, % 78 Race/ethnicity, % Hispanic 81.5 Non-Hispanic black 8.9 Non-Hispanic white 7.9 Other 1.7 Survey language, % English 82.3 Spanish 17.7 Educational attainment, % 0–8 years 15.0 9–11 years 19.7 High school graduate/GED 30.3 Any college 35.0 BMI >25 kg/m2, % 96 Diabetes mellitus, % 56.6 -
BMI = body mass index; GED = general equivalency diploma.
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Subscale Item Loada Diet/Activityb Convenience, cost α = .78 Easy to get to store for food shopping 0.64 D Nearby places for outdoor physical activity 0.52 A Places open when I want to do indoor physical activity 0.49 A Fresh fruits and vegetables available where I shop for food 0.74 D I can afford to buy fresh fruits and vegetables 0.57 D I can afford to buy fish or lean meat 0.52 D Fruits and vegetables where I shop are high quality 0.57 D Neighborhood opportunity α = .78 In my neighborhood it is easy to walk places 0.72 A Places where I can be active without needing to pay 0.65 A I often see other people walking in my neighborhood 0.71 A People generally feel safe in my neighborhood 0.64 A My neighborhood is well lighted for evening activities 0.59 A Barriers α = .75 I am too tired to be physically active 0.62 Illness gets in the way of cooking own meals 0.71 D I am too tired to cook my own meals 0.76 D Feeling depressed keeps me from being active 0.74 A Feeling depressed keeps me from shopping for food 0.72 D Knowledge α = .83 I know how to eat healthy foods 0.89 D When I eat at a restaurant I know how to choose a healthy meal 0.86 D I know where in my neighborhood to shop for healthy foods 0.75 D Time pressure α = .75 Taking care of my family gives little time to be physically active 0.55 A Taking care of my family gives me little time to cook meals 0.51 D My schedule gives me little time to cook my own meals 0.85 D My schedule gives me little time to go food shopping 0.85 D I have time to be physically active on most days 0.54 Family support α = .62 There are people I live with who eat healthy foods 0.77 D There are people I live with who are physically active 0.75 Family allows me to eat recommended foods 0.59 Spouse/partner α = .65 Spouse or partner complains when I serve a healthy meal 0.44 D Spouse or partner doesn’t allow me to be physically active 0.81 When I plan my day, I have to think about my partner’s jealousy 0.78 Nonfamily support α = .80 Friends encourage me to be physically active 0.84 Friends encourage me to eat healthy foods 0.87 Friends keep me company when I’m physically active 0.70 A
The Article in Brief
Measuring Capability for Healthy Diet and Physical Activity
Robert L. Ferrer , and colleagues
Background Unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity contribute to illness and death. Success in promoting healthy behaviors is limited, however, if social and environmental contexts are not accounted for. This study was part of the development of a measure of practical opportunities for healthy behavior. To understand the individual support needed to create opportunities for healthy behavior, the study assesses how personal circumstances interact with resources in the environment.
What This Study Found There is a wide range of opportunity for healthy behavior, driven by variations in neighborhood environments, physical and mental health status, family composition, family and peer support, and personal autonomy. Availability, convenience, safety, and cost of food and activity resources interact with individual circumstances such as illness, depression, family and non-family supports, and scope of personal agency to shape practical opportunities.
Implications
- Practical opportunities for healthy behavior can be measured as a primary target for clinical and public health assessment and intervention. Developing interventions responsive to both personal and environmental determinants may help close the gap between intention and achievement.
- The variability in findings suggest it is important not to make assumptions about what is feasible for a given person.
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