How Perceived Social and Emotional Support Impacts Healthy Dietary Behaviors Among Adults in Mississippi
Ian Halbert¹, Allie Edwards¹, Jennifer L. Lemacks, PhD, RD², Tammy Greer, PhD², Sermin Aras MS, RD²
¹Mississippi INBRE Outreach Scholar, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS
²Mississippi INBRE Telenutrition Center, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS
Mississippi has one of the largest obesity rates in the United States at 37.3%. Research indicates that healthy eating behaviors reduce the risk for obesity. In addition, perceived social and emotional support relates to the prevalence of healthy dietary behaviors. This research focused on the relationship between Mississippi adult’s general social support, social support for diet, and their dietary behaviors. Data was collected from Mississippi residents, 18 years or older, using paper and pencil surveys. These participants were recruited at outreach events conducted at university and community events. The variables studied included dietary behavior measured by fruit and vegetable intake, general perceived social support, and social support for diet. Demographic variables such as gender, marital status, and race were analyzed to determine differences in fruit and vegetable intake between groups. Variables were measured using survey response data. Correlations were run to examine the relationship between general social support and fruit and vegetable intake, as well as social support for diet and fruit and vegetable intake. The relationship between demographic variables and fruit and vegetable intake were analyzed using a split correlation. Results indicated there was no significant correlation for general social support and fruit and vegetable intake. However, there was a significant correlation for dietary social support and fruit and vegetable intake. There were significant differences in fruit and vegetable intake for demographic variables such as race, gender, and marital status. Social support for diet was significantly correlated with greater fruit and vegetable intake for both African Americans and American Indians but not Caucasians. A z prime test indicated correlations were significantly different (z=1.776, p=0.038) between Caucasians (n=105, r=0.183) versus African Americans (n=108, r=0.407) but not between Caucasians and American Indians (z=-1.004, p=0.158). Significant correlations between dietary social support and fruit and vegetable intake were noted despite marital status (married, divorced, separated, or single groups). Results can be used to promote strategies for healthier eating that consider the role of social support, especially among Mississippi’s minority populations.