Relationships among food insecurity, perceived stress, general self-efficacy, and obesity in female heads-of-household with children
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Havrilla, Emily.
Relationships among food insecurity, perceived stress, general self-efficacy, and obesity in female heads-of-household with children. Retrieved from
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TitleRelationships among food insecurity, perceived stress, general self-efficacy, and obesity in female heads-of-household with children
Date Created2016
Other Date2016-05 (degree)
Extent1 online resource (xi, 155 p. : ill.)
DescriptionObesity is a significant issue in the United States with approximately 36% of adults being classified as obese. The etiology of obesity encompasses physical, environmental, behavioral and societal factors. Empirical evidence indicates that among vulnerable populations, obesity exists in the presence of household food insecurity; however, the relationship is not directly causal. Furthermore there are gender differences in the prevalence of obesity in vulnerable populations. To date, these relationships are not well understood. Theory suggests that in vulnerable populations, resource availability, relative risk and health status are related. Theory further suggests that general perceived stress and general self-efficacy are related to both food insecurity and obesity and they may mediate the relationship between food insecurity and obesity. This study explored the relationships among food insecurity, general perceived stress, general self-efficacy, and obesity in female heads-of-household between the ages of 18 and 59 with one or more children under 18 years of age. The Core Food Security Module, the General Perceived Stress Questionnaire, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, calculated Body Mass Index and calculated waist-to-hip circumference ratio were used to measure the study variables. Female heads-of-households, recruited through two food pantries and one community action agency were invited to participate in the study through staff referral. Data were collected from 86 participants from November 2015 through February 2016. Two mediational models were tested. Results indicated a positive relationship between food insecurity and general perceived stress, general perceived stress and obesity, and general self-efficacy and obesity. However, the relationship between food insecurity and obesity was not significant. These findings indicate that the role of general perceived stress and general self-efficacy as mediators of the relationship between food insecurity and obesity was not supported. This study adds to the body of knowledge through confirmation of the absence of direct causality in the relationship between food insecurity and obesity and supports further investigation to determine the mechanisms of coexistence in vulnerable populations.
NotePh.D.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references
Noteby Emily Havrilla
Genretheses, ETD doctoral
Languageeng
CollectionGraduate School - Newark Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work.
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