Date of Conferral

2017

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Diana Naser

Abstract

Multiple studies have indicated a higher burden of overweight/obesity and exposure to environmental toxins, such as alcohol and tobacco smoke, in association with higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the African American population. Thus, the purpose of this research was to determine if there was a significant difference in the use of lifestyle adjustments such as moderating alcohol consumption, weight loss, and smoking cessation on the prevalence of CVD in the African American population. The theoretical foundation was social cognitive theory and the social ecological model that posits the interplay of individual, social, and environmental factors. This cross-sectional quantitative study was designed to assess the effects of lifestyle adjustments of weight loss, moderating alcohol consumption, and smoking cessation in the prevalence of CVD in African Americans between 40 and 60 years of age. Analysis of secondary data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination survey for the years 2013-2014 was conducted using binary logistic regression. The findings showed no significant difference in the use of weight loss, moderating alcohol consumption, and smoking cessation in the prevalence of CVD in African Americans between 40 and 60 years of age. However, the odds of moderate alcohol consumption and weight loss were greater than 1. Thus, this study may have a small potential impact on CVD in African Americans by encouraging lifestyle adjustments, and may contribute to positive social change by increasing life expectancy, improving quality of life, and reducing the burden of certain chronic diseases and reduction of healthcare cost.

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