Presentation
Exploring Healthy Eating and Digital Healthcare Support in an Overweight Sample of Working Rural Women, Poster Presentationitle
26th Annual Healthcare Systems Research Network Meeting
(2020)
Abstract
Background: Residents in rural communities in the US have increased probability of being obese. Research show barriers to healthy eating. Technology, including mobile-based tools, can provide healthy eating coaching and social connection to disperse communities. This study explored healthy eating and technology practices related to preventive care behaviors in a sample of working rural women who self-identify as overweight/obese.
Methods: Sixty women completed a 32-item survey which assessed CDC-recommended F/V intake, barriers to healthy eating, support for healthy eating and access/use of technology. Eligibility criteria were: (1) English-speaking, (2) 40+ years of age; (3) owned or had access to a smartphone and (4) self-identify as overweight or obese. Descriptive statistics characterized healthy eating engagement, support for healthy eating, and technology access/use. Chi-squared analyses described the relationship between healthy eating support and likelihood of using health information technology.
Results: Mean age of respondents was 53 years with mean body mass index of 32.2. Only 25% adhered to CDC-recommended F/V consumption guideline, and individuals earning up to $76k were most likely to follow the F/V guideline. Those with a high school education or higher reported adhering to the recommended guideline compared with individuals with less (28% vs 11%). Over one-half (57%) experienced healthy eating barriers and 52% reported support from family or friends.
Majority respondents (92% and 82%) used their personal computers and mobile devices to look up health information. Almost two-thirds (62%) reported a likelihood of using online health information to support healthy eating engagement. Chi-squared analyses (X2) revealed a significant relationship between healthy eating support and likelihood of using online health information tools, X2 (2, N = 60) = 7.69, p = 0.021).
Conclusion: Working rural women with lower income and less than a high school education require support to eat healthy and are less likely to follow recommended F/V guidelines. Web and mobile-based technologies can promote healthy behaviors and our rural sample appears willing to engage in digital healthcare management. Technologists should consider socio-demographic factors in the design/development of innovations to assure a tailored intervention for rural women.
Keywords
- CDC recommended F/V,
- physical activity,
- technology and health
Disciplines
Publication Date
Spring April 10, 2020
Location
Philadelphia, PA
DOI
10.17294/2330-0698.1762
Citation Information
Abstracts from the 26th annual Health Care Systems Research Network Conference, April 8-10, 2020. J Patient Cent Res Rev. 2020;7:64-137. doi: 10.17294/2330-0698.1762
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons CC_BY-NC International License.