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Health Literacy Predicts Change in Physical Activity Self-efficacy Among Sedentary Latinas

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Abstract

Health literacy (HL) is associated with preventive health behaviors. Self-efficacy is a predictor of health behavior, including physical activity (PA); however, causal pathways between HL and self-efficacy for PA are unknown, especially among Latinas who are at risk for chronic disease. To explore this potential relationship, secondary analyses were conducted on data [Shortened Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (STOFHLA), PA self-efficacy, and socio-demographics] from a 6-month, randomized controlled trial of a print-based PA intervention (n = 89 Spanish-speaking Latinas). Linear regression models revealed associations between HL and baseline self-efficacy in addition to changes in self-efficacy at 6-months. After controlling for significant covariates, higher HL scores were associated with lower baseline PA self-efficacy. Regardless of treatment assignment, higher HL scores at baseline predicted greater changes in PA self-efficacy at 6-months. HL may contribute to Latinas’ improved PA self-efficacy, though further research is warranted.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the participants in this study. In addition we would like to thank Clara Weinstock, Arlene Ayala, Jane Wheeler, Joshua Marcus-Blank, and Dr. John Quindry for their research and editorial assistance. Funding for this study was obtained by a grant (NR009864) from the National Institute of Nursing Research and performed at Brown University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition, University of Delaware, 26 North College Avenue, Newark, DE, 19716, USA

    Gregory M. Dominick

  2. Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital and Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA

    Shira I. Dunsiger

  3. Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

    Dorothy W. Pekmezi

  4. Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, The University of California, San Diego, CA, USA

    Bess H. Marcus

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  1. Gregory M. Dominick
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  2. Shira I. Dunsiger
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  3. Dorothy W. Pekmezi
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  4. Bess H. Marcus
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Correspondence to Gregory M. Dominick.

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Dominick, G.M., Dunsiger, S.I., Pekmezi, D.W. et al. Health Literacy Predicts Change in Physical Activity Self-efficacy Among Sedentary Latinas. J Immigrant Minority Health 15, 533–539 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-012-9666-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-012-9666-7

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