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Are Obese Women More Likely to Participate in a Mobile Mammography Program?

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Abstract

Mobile mammography services are typically offered as a means to increase access and adherence to mammography screenings. As mobile mammography becomes a viable strategy to increase screening, a 3 year study of such a state-wide program in WV found surprisingly high rates of obesity within the study population. Thus, the objectives were to: (1) describe the demographic characteristics and comorbidities of women who utilized the WV program, and (2) determine the association between body mass index (BMI) and personal health and screening history, preventive care and wellness behaviors, nutrition and exercise behaviors, and demographics. Data collected from 1,099 women, age 40 and above, were analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and a multivariate regression model. The majority (60.4 %) were married, had an income <$25,000 (59.2 %), and had health insurance (53.5 %). Major comorbidities were hypertension (49 %) and high cholesterol (43.9 %). Based on BMI scores, 884 participants were either overweight (26.6 %), mildly obese (27.7 %), moderately obese (15.1 %), or severely obese (11.1 %). Bivariate analyses indicated that increasing BMI was significantly associated with factors such as having hypertension or diabetes, limited daily activities, perceived health, and not smoking or drinking. The regression model was significant (p < 0.001; R2 = 0.425) indicating that women who engaged in preventive care behaviors were less likely to be obese than those who did not. The WV mobile mammography program appeared to attract women who were disproportionately obese and had multiple comorbidities, thus providing a great opportunity for targeted interventions related to improving preventive care and screening behaviors.

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Acknowledgments

The project described was conducted under the auspices of the WV CoHORTS Center which is funded by a grant from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (R24 HS018622). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the AHRQ.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmaceutical Systems & Policy, School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, P O Box 9510, Morgantown, WV, 26506-9510, USA

    Elvonna Atkins, Suresh Madhavan, Traci LeMasters & Ami Vyas

  2. Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA

    Sara Jane Gainor & Scot Remick

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  1. Elvonna Atkins
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  2. Suresh Madhavan
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  3. Traci LeMasters
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  4. Ami Vyas
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  5. Sara Jane Gainor
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  6. Scot Remick
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Correspondence to Elvonna Atkins.

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Atkins, E., Madhavan, S., LeMasters, T. et al. Are Obese Women More Likely to Participate in a Mobile Mammography Program?. J Community Health 38, 338–348 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-012-9619-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-012-9619-z

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