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Diet Quality of Older African Americans: Impact of Knowledge and Perceived Threat of COVID-19

Author

Listed:
  • Lucy W. Kibe

    (Physician Assistant Program, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU), Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA)

  • Mohsen Bazargan

    (Physician Assistant Program, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU), Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA
    Department of Family Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU), Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA
    Department of Family Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA)

  • Adaobi Bosah

    (Physician Assistant Program, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU), Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA)

  • Katrina M. Schrode

    (Department of Psychiatry, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU), Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA)

  • Yufu Kuo

    (Physician Assistant Program, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU), Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA)

  • Edward Andikrah

    (Department of Internal Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU), Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA)

  • Magda Shaheen

    (Department of Internal Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU), Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA)

Abstract

Confusing health messages and environmental changes intended to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus have affected the dietary behavior of older African Americans. We investigated the impact of COVID-19-related factors on diet quality and the relationship between food access and diet quality. We surveyed 150 African Americans aged 55 years and above during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data obtained included socio-demographic and health information, and COVID-19-related knowledge and perceptions. Dietary intake data was obtained using the Diet History Questionnaire III. Analyses included bivariate and multivariable statistics. Overall, based on United States Department of Agriculture guidelines, the diet quality of older African Americans was poor. Lower knowledge and a lower perceived threat of COVID-19 were significantly associated with poor diet quality. Additionally, older African Americans with chronic diseases and food insecurity had poor diet quality. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the fragility of diet quality. The combined impact of poor knowledge and perceived threat of COVID-19, chronic disease, and food insecurity contribute to poor diet quality in this population. This study adds to the well-known need for strategies to support the right to a healthy diet, particularly during COVID-19 and future pandemics. Proactive interventions to counteract the potential consequences of poor diets are needed.

Suggested Citation

  • Lucy W. Kibe & Mohsen Bazargan & Adaobi Bosah & Katrina M. Schrode & Yufu Kuo & Edward Andikrah & Magda Shaheen, 2023. "Diet Quality of Older African Americans: Impact of Knowledge and Perceived Threat of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(7), pages 1-10, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:7:p:5274-:d:1108690
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Brenna Ellison & Brandon McFadden & Bradley J. Rickard & Norbert L. W. Wilson, 2021. "Examining Food Purchase Behavior and Food Values During the COVID‐19 Pandemic," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 43(1), pages 58-72, March.
    2. Blumberg, S.J. & Bialostosky, K. & Hamilton, W.L. & Briefel, R.R., 1999. "The effectiveness of a short form of the household food security scale," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 89(8), pages 1231-1234.
    3. Jingjing Wang & Nanyue Rao & Buxin Han, 2021. "Pathways Improving Compliance with Preventive Behaviors during the Remission Period of the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-12, March.
    4. Danxia Yu & Jennifer Sonderman & Maciej S Buchowski & Joseph K McLaughlin & Xiao-Ou Shu & Mark Steinwandel & Lisa B Signorello & Xianglan Zhang & Margaret K Hargreaves & William J Blot & Wei Zheng, 2015. "Healthy Eating and Risks of Total and Cause-Specific Death among Low-Income Populations of African-Americans and Other Adults in the Southeastern United States: A Prospective Cohort Study," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(5), pages 1-17, May.
    5. Tavonia Ekwegh & Sharon Cobb & Edward K. Adinkrah & Roberto Vargas & Lucy W. Kibe & Humberto Sanchez & Joe Waller & Hoorolnesa Ameli & Mohsen Bazargan, 2023. "Factors Associated with Telehealth Utilization among Older African Americans in South Los Angeles during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-15, February.
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