Racial Disparities in Sugar Sweetened Beverage Consumption Change Efficacy Among Male First Year College Students
Racial disparities in weight related outcomes among males may be linked to differences in behavioral change efficacy; however, few studies have pursued this line of inquiry. The purpose of this study was to determine the degree to which self efficacy associated with changing sugar sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption intake varies by race among male first year college students. A self administered, cross sectional survey was completed by a subsample of freshmen males (N 203) at a medium sized southern university. Key variables of interest were SSB intake and self efficacy in reducing consumption of sugared beverages. African American and Whites had similar patterns of SSB intake (10.2 2.8 vs. 10.1 2.6) however, African Americans had lower proportions of individuals who were sure they could substitute sugared beverages with water (42.2% vs. 57.5% p .03) The results from logistic regression models suggest that self efficacy to reduce SSB intake among males vary by race. African American males were less likely to assert confidence in their ability to change behaviors associated with SSB (odds ratio 0.51; confidence interval [0.27, 0.95] in the full model adjusting for weight related variables including SSB consumption. The findings suggest that weight loss and weight prevention interventions targeting young African American males require components that can elevate self efficacy of this group to facilitate behavioral modifications that reduce SSB consumption and their risk for obesity related diseases.
American journal of men's health