RESUMO
Though research has shown that religion provides a protective influence with respect to a number of health-related outcomes, little work has examined its influence on patterns of alcohol (especially binge drinking) and tobacco consumption among Latinos in Texas. Thus, we used a probability sample of Texas adults to test this relationship via logistic regression. Our results revealed that clear distinctions emerge on the basis of both denomination and frequency of attendance. Specifically, Protestants who regularly attend religious services are significantly more likely to be abstainers and to have never smoked, while those with no religious affiliation exhibit relatively unfavorable risk profiles. These findings persist despite a range of socio-demographic controls. Our study supports the assertion that religion may serve as an important protective influence on risky health behaviors.
Assuntos
Catolicismo , Comportamentos Relacionados com a Saúde/etnologia , Americanos Mexicanos/psicologia , Protestantismo , Religião e Medicina , Religião e Psicologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Alcoolismo/etnologia , Alcoolismo/mortalidade , Alcoolismo/psicologia , Consumo Excessivo de Bebidas Alcoólicas/etnologia , Consumo Excessivo de Bebidas Alcoólicas/mortalidade , Consumo Excessivo de Bebidas Alcoólicas/psicologia , Causas de Morte , Estudos Transversais , Coleta de Dados , Feminino , Inquéritos Epidemiológicos/estatística & dados numéricos , Humanos , Entrevista Psicológica , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Americanos Mexicanos/etnologia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Assunção de Riscos , Fumar/efeitos adversos , Fumar/etnologia , Fumar/mortalidade , Fumar/psicologia , Texas , Adulto JovemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Rates of extreme forms of obesity are rapidly rising, as is the use of bariatric surgery for its treatment. The aim of the present study was to examine selected behavioral factors associated with severity of obesity among preoperative bariatric surgery patients in the San Antonio area, focusing specifically on the effects of fast food consumption. METHODS: We used ordered logistic regression to model behavioral and attitudinal effects on obesity outcomes among 270 patients. These outcomes were based on the severity of obesity and were measured on the basis of body mass index. RESULTS: Our results indicated that, among the behavioral factors, fast food consumption exerted the largest influence on higher levels of obesity. These remained after controlling for several social and demographic characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that higher rates of fast food consumption are connected to the increasing rates of severe obesity. Given that morbid and super morbid obesity rates are growing at a more advanced pace than moderate obesity, it is necessary to explore the behavioral characteristics associated with these trends.