A randomized controlled trial of a tailored navigation intervention to promote breast and cervical cancer screening among intergenerational Southeast Asian women.

Background: Cancer is the leading cause of death for Southeast Asian women in the U.S. Southeast Asian women have significantly high rates of breast and cervical cancers, yet are least likely to obtain regular mammography and Pap testing of all racial/ethnic groups in the U.S. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to compare a tailored navigation intervention delivered by bilingual and bicultural Community Health Advisors to information and reminder only to increase age-appropriate breast and cervical cancer screening completion among Southeast Asian women. Methods: The Southeast Asian Women's Health Project study will enroll 232 Cambodian, Filipino, Lao, and Vietnamese women who are not up to date with their breast and cervical cancer screenings. Women randomized to navigation will receive the intervention for 10 weeks. Women in the information group will be mailed information on mammography and Pap testing only. All participants will be contacted post-enrollment to assess screening completion. Discussion: We will examine intervention efficacy, predictors of each intervention group, and the influence of intergenerational exchange of breast and cervical cancer screening information between mothers and daughters. We will disseminate study results locally to the community, nationally at conferences, and through peer-reviewed journals.

Recruitment Challenges of a Colorectal Cancer Screening Dissemination Study.

BACKGROUND: Dissemination strategies to reach underserved and minority populations to promote screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) are key to reducing disparities. We conducted a study to examine a tailored messaging approach to navigate individuals from communities (i.e., lower income, less access to care, and underscreened) to clinics to receive CRC screening. We encountered several political, demographic, and secular trend issues that required reconsideration and redesign of implementation strategies. OBJECTIVES: Through study implementation from 2012 to 2017, changes in medical reimbursement and immigration policies-at the state level and later at the national level-affected healthcare delivery systems that had initially committed to supporting the study and our recruitment methods. Although our selected zip codes and sites had previously yielded high rates of CRC screening nonadherence, within a few years, these sites showed substantially higher screening adherence rates-yielding limited numbers of eligible participants. In addition, state immigration policy trends created mistrust and fear, leading to lower participation rates than anticipated. This report documents and provides valuable insights on how we and the community network developed creative strategies to overcome these challenges. METHODS: New relationships with community partners were extended to tap advisory board input to meet the challenges. Criteria for clinic participation widened from originally selected Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to various nonprofit, hybrid, and privately insured reimbursement types. Recruitment site options were creatively redefined to reach community participants where they live, work, and receive services. RESULTS: Strategies that engage community members in identifying alternative healthcare delivery structures and that link recruitment efforts to community-based service organizations were found to be critical to recapturing community trust in the face of unfavorable political environments. Widening the type of clinic partners from FQHCs to stand-alone nonprofits and private clinics and identifying unusual types of recruitment sites provided alternative solutions for successful study implementation. DISCUSSION: In prevention-based studies that face unplanned system and political barriers to recruitment, embedding the study in the community may aid in reestablishing trust levels to improve engagement and recruitment of clinic partners and eligible participants.

Adaptation of colorectal cancer screening tailored navigation content for American Indian communities and early results using the intervention.

BACKGROUND: American Indians (AI) experience major colorectal cancer (CRC) screening disparities with commensurate inequity in CRC mortality and other outcomes. The purpose of this report is to describe the methods and early results of adapting a previously successful intervention for the AI community. METHODS: The educational content and delivery strategy of the parent intervention were adapted for AIs guided by an adaptation framework and cultural consultations with the community and clinicians. As part of the environmental scanning, we identified the need to substantively revise our data entry, collection, and tracking system and develop a REDCap database for this purpose. In this study, we staggered the implementation of the intervention in each facility to inform the process from one clinic to the next, and assess both the clinical outcomes of the tailored intervention and the implementation processes across two clinic settings, Facilities A and B. RESULTS: The REDCap database is an indispensable asset, and without it we would not have been able to obtain reliable aggregate screening data while improvements to facility electronic health records are in progress. Approximately 8% (n = 678) of screening-eligible patients have been exposed to the navigator intervention. Of those exposed to the navigator intervention, 37% completed screening. CONCLUSIONS: With the small numbers of patients exposed so far to the intervention, it would be premature to draw any broad conclusions yet about intervention effects. However, early screening completion rates are substantial advances on existing rates, and we have demonstrated that a tailored navigator intervention for facilitating CRC screening was readily adapted with provider and community input for application to AIs. A REDCap database for tracking of CRC screening by navigators using tablets or laptops on- or offline is easy to use and allows for generation of aggregate, anonymized screening data. TRIAL REGISTRATION: There was no health intervention meeting the criteria of a clinical trial. The University of Arizona Institutional Review Board granted exemption from obtaining informed consent from patients undergoing CRC screening after administration of the tailored navigation intervention as usual care.

Cost-Effectiveness of Community-to-Clinic Tailored Navigation for Colorectal Cancer Screening in an Underserved Population: Economic Evaluation Alongside a Group-Randomized Trial.

PURPOSE: Although screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) lowers mortality and morbidity and is generally cost-effective, little is known about the cost-effectiveness of screening promotion. DESIGN: Cost-effectiveness analysis alongside a group-randomized trial. Setting: Multicultural, underinsured communities in the Phoenix, Arizona, area. SUBJECTS: English- or Spanish-speaking adults who were out of compliance for CRC screening guidelines. INTERVENTION: All participants received community-based group education (GE), and the intervention group also received tailored community-to-clinic navigation (GE+TN). MEASURES: Number of participants screened and costs of tailored navigation, clinic visits, and CRC screening tests. ANALYSIS: Incremental cost per additional person screened from the perspective of the healthcare system with bootstrapped confidence intervals. RESULTS: Community sites were recruited and randomized to GE (n = 120) and GE + TN (n = 119). Across these sites 1154 individuals were screened, 504 were eligible, and 345 attended the group education class (n = 134 GE; n = 211 GE + TN). Screening rates (26.5% GE + TN; 10.4% GE; 16.1% increase 95% CI: 7%, 23%) and costs per participant ($271 GE + TN; $167 GE; a net cost increase of $104 95% CI: $1, $189) were significantly higher in the intervention group. Incremental cost-effectiveness was $646 (95% CI: -$68, $953) per additional person screened. CONCLUSION: Depending on the value placed on an additional person screened, the addition of community-to-clinic tailored navigation to a community-based CRC screening promotion program may be highly cost-effective.

Communication Among Southeast Asian Mothers and Daughters About Cervical Cancer Prevention.

BACKGROUND: Southeast Asian women have high rates of cervical cancer and yet are among the least likely to be screened. There is sparse literature on communication patterns among Southeast Asian women, specifically related to cervical cancer and Pap test uptake. Little is known about the influence of Southeast Asian mothers and daughters on each other's cervical cancer beliefs and screening behaviors. OBJECTIVES: We examined the perceptions of and barriers to cervical cancer screening among Cambodian and Lao mothers and daughters and explored how they converse about women's health issues, specifically cervical cancer and Pap testing. METHODS: We conducted in-depth interviews with Cambodian and Lao mother-daughter dyads, aged 18 years and older, living in a large Midwestern city between February and September of 2015. Descriptive statistics were calculated to summarize the sample demographic characteristics. Bivariate tests (contingency table analyses, independent t-tests, and Pearson correlations) were conducted to test for differences between the mothers and daughters in demographic characteristics and measures of health status and beliefs. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: In-depth interviews were conducted with three Cambodian and eight Lao mother-daughter dyads. The daughters were significantly more acculturated to English, had greater education, and were mostly employed full time. The mothers and daughters evaluated their health status much the same, their medical mistrust equally, and all of the mothers and nine of the daughters were Buddhist. Themes in mother-daughter communication included what mothers and daughters do and do not talk about with regard to sexual health, refugee experiences, what hinders mother-daughter communication, and relationship dynamics. The mothers were embarrassed and uncomfortable discussing cervical cancer, Pap testing, and other women's health issues with their daughters. Although mothers did not influence women's health promotion or cervical cancer prevention with their daughters, daughters did influence their mothers' health and healthcare decisions. Daughters were critical in navigating healthcare systems, engaging with providers, and making medical decisions on behalf of their mothers. DISCUSSION: By leveraging the unique and dynamic intergenerational bond that mothers and daughters who identify as Southeast Asian have, we can develop strategies to influence the cultural dialogue related to cervical cancer and early detection.

Radiation Therapy: Predictors of Nonadherence to Treatment Schedules Among Patients With Head and Neck Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) often undergo a demanding treatment schedule, including radiation therapy (RT). Nonadherence to RT schedules is a documented problem among patients with HNC and can negatively affect patient outcomes. OBJECTIVES: This retrospective, descriptive study aimed to examine whether demographic or clinical characteristics or physical and psychological symptoms were associated with nonadherence to RT among patients with HNC. METHODS: Electronic health records of 262 patients with HNC who received treatment at a cancer center in the southeastern United States were reviewed to determine whether nonadherence was related to symptom scores and other patient- and clinical-related factors. FINDINGS: Patients at highest risk for nonadherence included women, those admitted as inpatients during treatment, and those who received outpatient IV fluids during treatment. Nonadherent patients reported higher mean scores on 9 of 12 symptoms measured during treatment, indicating a higher symptom burden. Patients with tongue tumors, greater spiritual well-being, and less constipation were less likely to be nonadherent.

Effects of a Community-to-Clinic Navigation Intervention on Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Underserved People.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer screening remains suboptimal among poor and underserved people. PURPOSE: We tested the effectiveness of a community-to-clinic navigator intervention to guide multicultural, underinsured individuals into primary care clinics to complete colorectal cancer screening. METHODS: This two-phase behavioral intervention study was conducted in Phoenix, Arizona (2012-2018). Community sites were randomized to group education or group education plus tailored navigation to increase attendance at primary care clinics (Phase I). Individuals who completed a clinic appointment received the tailored navigation in person or via phone (Phase II). RESULTS: In Phase I (N = 345), 37.9% of the intervention group scheduled a clinic appointment versus 19.4% of the comparison group. In Phase II, 26.5% of the original intervention group were screened versus only 10.4% of the original comparison group. Those in the intervention group were 3.84 times more likely to be screened than were those in the comparison group (odds ratio = 3.84; 95% confidence interval = 1.81-6.92). CONCLUSIONS: Translation of an efficacious tailored navigation intervention for colorectal cancer screening to a community-to-clinic context is associated with significantly increased rates of colorectal cancer screening. Navigation assistance to address barriers to screening may serve as the most important component of any educational program to increase individual adherence to colorectal cancer screening.

Perceptions of Cervical Cancer and Screening Behavior among Cambodian and Lao Women in the United States: An Exploratory, Mixed-Methods Study.

This concurrent mixed method study examined barriers to cervical cancer screening (CCS) among Cambodian and Lao women and mother-daughter communication about women's health, cervical cancer, and screening. We conducted seven focus groups with purposeful samples of Cambodian and Lao women in the Midwest. The participants completed a survey on health characteristics and attitudes about CCS. Focus group data were analyzed using content analysis, and survey data were analyzed calculating descriptive statistics and bivariate hypothesis testing. Predominantly, women spoke about modesty, privacy, and screening only if symptoms were present. More Lao than Cambodian women reported having ever had a Pap smear, significantly higher knowledge about, and greater positive support for completing Pap smears from health providers, family, and friends. Results show cultural similarities among mothers and daughters in communication about women's health, but cultural and generational differences in knowledge, intent, and beliefs about cervical cancer and screening.

Web-Based Skin Cancer Prevention Training for Massage Therapists: Protocol for the Massage Therapists Skin Health Awareness, Referral, and Education Study.

BACKGROUND: Skin cancer, the most common cancer in the United States, is costly and potentially deadly. Its burden can be reduced by early detection and prevention activities. The scope of skin cancer requires going beyond traditional health care providers to promote risk reduction. Partnering with the nonbiomedical workforce, such as massage therapists (MTs), may reach more individuals at risk. MTs see much of their clients' skin and are amenable to performing skin cancer risk reduction activities during massage appointments. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to describe the Massage Therapists Skin Health Awareness, Referral, and Education protocol, presenting an overview of our systematic approach to developing rigorous e-training for MTs to enable them to be partners in skin cancer risk reduction. We also describe procedures for usability and feasibility testing of the training. METHODS: We developed an integrated electronic learning system that includes electronic training (e-training) technology, simulated client interactions, online data collection instruments, and in-person assessment of MTs' application of their training. RESULTS: A total of 20 participants nationally scored the e-training as high for usability and satisfaction. We have screened an additional 77 MTs in Arizona for interest and eligibility, and currently have 37 enrolled participants, of whom 32 have completed the Web-based training. CONCLUSIONS: The structured and rigorous development approach for this skin cancer risk reduction and brief behavioral intervention e-training for MTs begins to fill a gap in skin cancer risk reduction research. Iterative usability testing of our asynchronous Web-based training resulted in positive participant response. Our e-training approach offers greater learner accessibility, increased convenience, and greater scalability than the few existing programs and has the potential to reach many MTs nationally. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/13480.

Effects of Menthol Flavor Cigarettes or Total Urinary Menthol on Biomarkers of Nicotine and Carcinogenic Exposure and Behavioral Measures.

INTRODUCTION: The effects of either menthol flavor cigarettes or total urinary menthol on nicotine dependence, biomarkers of addictive and carcinogenic exposure, and behavioral measures may inform differences and similarities of these two approaches. METHODS: Stratified recruitment by cigarette (menthol flavor or regular) and race (African American and white) yielded a balanced sample of 136 adult smokers in a 36-hour inpatient protocol. Exposure measures assessed during 24-hour data collection included urinary menthol, total NNAL [4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol], 10 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites, baseline plasma cotinine, plasma nicotine pre- and post-smoking, exhaled carbon monoxide pre- and post-smoking, and cigarette puff volumes. The latter three were measured at four specified timepoints throughout the day. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between menthol flavor and regular cigarette smokers in measures of nicotine dependence, biomarkers of addictive and carcinogenic exposures, or behavioral measures. Significant race × cigarette type interaction effects were found for two biomarkers: plasma nicotine and 3-hydroxyphenanthrene. Total urinary menthol was significantly associated with higher levels of nearly all dependent variables including puff volume, exhaled carbon monoxide, plasma nicotine and cotinine, NNAL, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The significant effects of total urinary menthol were sustained after adjusting for menthol flavor and regular cigarette type and other covariates (eg, number of cigarettes per day, baseline cotinine, and baseline nicotine). CONCLUSIONS: Urinary menthol is an independent predictive biomarker for nicotine dependence, addictive and carcinogenic exposure, and behaviors. IMPLICATIONS: Comparison of the effects of menthol flavor and total urinary menthol on nicotine dependence, biomarkers of addictive and carcinogenic exposure, and behavioral measures emphasizes the important significant contribution of total urinary menthol concentrations in contrast to no significant associations by dichotomous cigarette type with these biomarkers.

An Exploration of Contributing Factors to Patient Safety.

One in 3 patients is estimated to experience health care-related harm during hospitalization. This descriptive, cross-sectional study used the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire to measure interprofessional staff perceptions of safety and teamwork climate and a retrospective, modified Global Trigger Tool chart review methodology to measure unit-level patient outcomes. Safety climate and teamwork did not have a statistically significant relationship with the frequency of adverse events identified by the Global Trigger Tool. Researchers may consider the Global Trigger Tool for detecting unit-level adverse events.

Knowledge and Beliefs Regarding Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Among Mexican-Heritage Latinas.

BACKGROUND: Lower participation rates in mammography and Papanicolaou test are common among Latinas compared with other ethnic groups. Suboptimal screening rates are attributed to lack of knowledge, access to services, and cultural influences. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to qualitatively examine an alternative framework for examining cultural influences on Mexican-heritage Latinas' understandings of breast and cervical cancer screening and how to leverage their beliefs to positively influence screening practices. METHODS: The study is based on the analysis of 4 focus groups with 47 Latinas residing in greater Phoenix, Arizona. RESULTS: Iterative qualitative analyses identified 5 major themes: (1) knowledge and beliefs about cancer cause and risk in general, (2) knowledge and beliefs specific to breast and cervical cancer screening, (3) experiences with breast and cervical cancer screening, (4) facilitators and barriers to breast and cervical screening, and (5) desired information about cancer and screening. CONCLUSIONS: Rather than focusing on Latinas' knowledge and/or misconceptions of breast and cervical cancer in screening-related education, researchers must examine what Latinas believe and leverage those convictions to expand their perceptions and behaviors related to breast and cervical cancer prevention practices. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Practitioners should recognize that Latinas may differ in beliefs from other minorities, and that even within-group, there may be cultural differences that influence cancer screening behaviors.

Self-Report Versus Medical Record for Mammography Screening Among Minority Women.

Self-report is the most common means of obtaining mammography screening data. The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of minority women's self-reported mammography by comparing their self-reported dates of mammograms with those in their medical records from a community-based randomized control trial. We found that out of 192 women, 116 signed the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act form and, among these, 97 had medical records that could be verified (97 / 116 = 83.6%). Ninety-two records matched where both sources confirmed a mammogram; 48 of 92 (52.2%) matched perfectly on self-reported date of mammogram. Complexities in the verification process warrant caution when verifying self-reported mammography screening in minority populations. In spite of some limitations, our findings support the usage of self-reported data on mammography as a validated tool for other researchers investigating mammography screening among minority women who continue to have low screening rates.

Perceptions of Risk for Hepatitis B Infection among the Hmong.

The Hmong in the U.S. who emigrated from Southeast Asia, an area where hepatitis B is endemic, experience high rates of hepatitis B infection and liver cancer compared to non-Hispanic whites. This exploratory study examined the Hmong's perceptions of risk of hepatitis B infection. We interviewed 83 Hmong women and men living in Oregon. In bivariate statistical analysis, greater perceived susceptibility, lower perceived barriers, and having a healthcare provider recommendation were each significantly related to having ever been screened for hepatitis B. Logistic regression models indicated that having a recommendation by a doctor or healthcare provider was the strongest predictor of having been screened for hepatitis B, followed by education and insurance. Future interventions with the Hmong population should focus on the important role of health care providers play in raising awareness about hepatitis B infection and increasing screening uptake.

Ubiquinol reduces muscle wasting but not fatigue in tumor-bearing mice.

PURPOSE: Fatigue is the most common and distressing symptom reported by cancer patients during and after treatment. Tumor growth increases oxidative stress and cytokine production, which causes skeletal muscle wasting and cardiac dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to determine whether treatment with the antioxidant ubiquinol improves muscle mass, cardiac function, and behavioral measures of fatigue in tumor-bearing mice. METHOD: Adult female mice were inoculated with colon26 tumor cells. Half the control and tumor-bearing mice were administered ubiquinol (500 mg/kg/day) in their drinking water. Voluntary wheel running (i.e., voluntary running activity [VRA]) and grip strength were measured at Days 0, 8, 14, and 17 of tumor growth. Cardiac function was measured using echocardiography on Day 18 or 19. Biomarkers of inflammation, protein degradation, and oxidative stress were measured in serum and heart and gastrocnemius tissue. RESULTS: VRA and grip strength progressively declined in tumor-bearing mice. Muscle mass and myocardial diastolic function were decreased, and expression of proinflammatory cytokines was increased in serum and muscle and heart tissue on Day 19 of tumor growth. Oxidative stress was present only in the heart, while biomarkers of protein degradation were increased only in the gastrocnemius muscle. Ubiquinol increased muscle mass in the tumor-bearing and control animals but had no effect on the expression of biomarkers of inflammation, protein degradation, or oxidative stress or on behavioral measures of fatigue.

Effect of perceived stress on cytokine production in healthy college students.

Chronic psychological stress impairs antibody synthesis following influenza vaccination. Chronic stress also increases circulating levels of proinflammatory cytokines and glucocorticoids in elders and caregivers, which can impair antibody synthesis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether psychological stress increases ex vivo cytokine production or decreases glucocorticoid sensitivity (GCS) of peripheral blood leukocytes from healthy college students. A convenience sample of Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) students completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Whole blood was incubated in the presence of influenza vaccine and dexamethasone to evaluate production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1-beta (IL-1ß), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). Multiple regression models controlling for age, gender, and grade point average revealed a negative relationship between PSS and GCS for vaccine-stimulated production of IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α. These data increase our understanding of the complex relationship between chronic stress and immune function.

Perceived discrimination and its associations with mental health and substance use among Asian American and Pacific Islander undergraduate and graduate students.

OBJECTIVES: Racial discrimination experiences can negatively affect health. This study examined perceived discrimination and its relationship with mental health and substance use among Asian American and Pacific Islander (API) undergraduate and graduate students. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 113 API students aged 18-35 completed the study during February-June, 2011. METHODS: The authors conducted a cross-sectional, anonymous survey online. Dependent variables included mental health (depressive, anxiety, and somatic symptoms) and substance use (alcohol problems, use of tobacco, marijuana or hashish, and other illegal drugs). RESULTS: Students' perceived discrimination were significantly, positively associated with depressive, anxiety, and somatic symptoms, but not with substance use. Ethnic identity moderated the relationship between perceived discrimination and somatic symptoms, but not depressive or anxiety symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested the negative effect of racial discrimination on API students' mental health. The buffering effect of ethnic identity may increase resilience in these students when they face racial discrimination.

Breast and cervical cancer screening among South Asian immigrants in the United States.

BACKGROUND: South Asian (SA) immigrants (from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) constitute the fastest growing of all Asian American immigrants to the United States, with a growth rate of 106% from 1990 to 2001. Data are lacking on health behaviors of this population subgroup, including cancer-related information. OBJECTIVE: : The purpose of this study was to assess rates and correlates of breast and cervical cancer screening in a community sample of SAs. METHODS: Participants were recruited from among attendees of 3 community-based agency programs. Data were collected in English, Hindi, and Gujarati from a convenience sample of 198 participants. RESULTS: Two-thirds of the sample (n = 127, 65.5%) had ever had a mammogram, whereas only a third (n = 65, 32.8%) had ever had a Papanicolaou smear or vaginal examination. Several predisposing factors (eg, country of birth, years in the United States, acculturation, age, and acknowledged barriers to screening) were significant predictors of breast and cervical screening, whereas the only enabling factor was past screening behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Additional study is warranted on cultural aspects of cancer screening behaviors. These data are formative on facilitators and barriers to mammogram and Papanicolaou test completion among these understudied minority women. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nurses who practice in primary care may begin to target health education based on sociodemographics of SA women and emphasize discussion of barriers to screening.

A randomized trial comparing the effect of two phone-based interventions on colorectal cancer screening adherence.

BACKGROUND: Early-stage diagnosis of colorectal cancer is associated with high survival rates; screening prevalence, however, remains suboptimal. PURPOSE: This study seeks to test the hypothesis that participants receiving telephone-based tailored education or motivational interviewing had higher colorectal cancer screening completion rates compared to usual care. METHODS: Primary care patients not adherent with colorectal cancer screening and with no personal or family history of cancer (n = 515) were assigned by block randomization to control (n = 169), tailored education (n = 168), or motivational interview (n = 178). The response rate was 70%; attrition was 24%. RESULTS: Highest screening occurred in the tailored education group (23.8%, p < .02); participants had 2.2 times the odds of completing a post-intervention colorectal cancer screening than did the control group (AOR = 2.2, CI = 1.2-4.0). Motivational interviewing was not associated with significant increase in post-intervention screening. CONCLUSIONS: Tailored education showed promise as a feasible strategy to increase colorectal cancer screening.

The relationships among body size, biological sex, ethnicity, and healthy lifestyles in adolescents.

PURPOSE. The purposes of this study were to (a) determine whether actual weight, biological sex, and race/ethnicity were related to differences of weight perception, nutrition and activity knowledge, perceived difficulty, attitudes, and choices about living a healthy lifestyle in adolescents; and (b) describe the relationships among these variables. DESIGN AND METHODS. This was a cross-sectional descriptive, correlational design with 404 adolescents. RESULTS. Perception of weight was more accurate in overweight adolescents. Teens who reported difficulty in leading a healthy lifestyle reported less healthy choices, attitudes, and knowledge. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Findings suggest tailored interventions should consider biological sex and race/ethnicity.